Year first lit 1951 (current) Address Japan Opened 20 October 1876 NGA number 3860 | Foundation brick and concrete Height 33 m Phone +81 178-32-4691 Year first constructed 1876 (first) | |
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Location Higashidōri
Aomori Prefecture
Japan Construction brick and concrete tower Tower shape tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern Markings / pattern white tower and lantern Hours Open today · 7AM–4:45PMSunday7AM–4:45PMMonday7AM–4:45PMTuesday7AM–4:45PMWednesday7AM–4:45PMThursday7AM–4:45PMFriday7AM–4:45PMSaturday7AM–4:45PMSuggest an edit Similar Ōmazaki Lighthouse, Kinkasan Lighthouse, Mikomotoshima Lighthouse, Anorisaki Lighthouse, Irōzaki Lighthouse | ||
Shiriyazaki lighthouse and horses
Shiriyazaki Lighthouse (尻屋埼灯台, Shiriyazaki tōdai) is a lighthouse located on the outermost extremity of Cape Shiriyazaki, the northeastern-most point of Honshu, in Higashidōri, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
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History
The Shiriyazaki Lighthouse was one of the 26 lighthouses built in Meiji period Japan by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton. The lighthouse was completed on October 20, 1876 (after Brunton had departed from Japan), and was the first western-style lighthouse in the Tohoku region of Japan. On November 20, 1877, a fog bell was installed due to the high incidence of fogs and days of poor visibility in the area. This was the first fog bell in Japan, but the sound proved to be too weak, so on December 20, 1879 it was replaced by the first fog horn in Japan. Other noteworthy events include the installation of the first electric power generator for a lighthouse in Japan in 1901.
In 1945, during World War II, Shiriyazaki Lighthouse was bombarded by United States Navy warships, cracking its Fresnel lens and causing severe damage to its structure, killing its attendant. However, the following year, on several occasions, fishermen reported being able to see a light in the ruined lighthouse, which enabled them to land safely despite a deep fog. However, when authorities investigated, they found that the stairs were blocked with rubble and the light room was completely destroyed. A temporary light was installed in the ruined structure from August 1946, and the rumors ceased. The lighthouse was repaired and went back into operation in 1951. The lighthouse is maintained by the Japan Coast Guard.
The Shiriyazaki Lighthouse is registered with the Japanese government as an “A-grade Lighthouse” for historic preservation and is listed as one of the “50 Lighthouses of Japan” by the Japan Lighthouse Association.