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Old Sakai Lighthouse Historic Site
With its nostalgic white appearance, this Western-style wooden lighthouse is also a great spot for photos.
Standing at the tip of Sakai Old Port, which long prospered as an international trading port, this hexagonal pyramidal lighthouse is approx. 12 meters tall. It was built in 1877, during the period when the Meiji government recognized the value of lighthouses and had them constructed across Japan so ships could navigate safely.
Sakai carpenters and stonemasons from Bizen Province (Okayama Prefecture) were involved in its construction, while a British engineer installed the lens. The green light emitted by its oil lamp reached as far as 10 nautical miles and continued protecting the safety of ships entering and leaving the port for about a century. Later, as land reclamation progressed along the waterfront, it completed its role in 1968. As one of the oldest Western-style wooden lighthouses in Japan, it was designated a National Historic Site in 1972.
Preservation and restoration work was carried out from FY2001 to FY2006. Based on cultural property research, the lighthouse regained its former appearance and has become a popular photo spot as a symbol of Sakai. It is sometimes illuminated at night for events and other occasions.
Highlights
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A lighthouse standing at the tip of Sakai Old Port.
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One of the oldest Western-style wooden lighthouses in Japan.
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Designated as a National Historic Site.
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It is no longer in use because land reclamation progressed in the surrounding area.
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Its former appearance has been restored through preservation work carried out in the Heisei era.
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Interior not open to the public (special opening held about once a year).
Photos
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One of the oldest surviving Western-style wooden lighthouses
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Standing at the tip of Sakai Old Port
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Are there any coin lockers nearby?
A
No.
Q
Are there any restrooms nearby?
A
No.
Q
Is there parking available?
A
No.
Q
When is the lighthouse illuminated?
A
Please check the illumination information on the website.
Q
When is the interior open to the public?
A
Please check Sakai City public relations and the website.
Reviews
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 史跡旧堺燈台
- Postal Code
- 590-0974
- Address
- 5-chome Ohamakitamachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka
- Phone
- 072-228-7198 (Sakai City Culture and Tourism Bureau, Historical Heritage Utilization Department, Cultural Properties Division)
- Closed on
- None
- Hours
- Open for visits at any time *Exterior only, interior not open to the public (special opening held about once a year)
- Admission
- Free
- Access
- 15-minute walk from Sakai Station on the Nankai Main Line
- Official website
- Official website (Japanese)
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