World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Japan's Lighthouses Open to Visitors Through Community Partnerships
Japan is opening more lighthouses to visitors through a Coast Guard scheme that brings in local organizations to help care for them.
Satellite-based GPS has reduced the need for lighthouses to guide ships, and around 100 have been decommissioned over the past decade.
The scheme covers 68 lighthouses in 27 prefectures, out of roughly 3,100 nationwide, with 62 organizations involved as of the end of October.
Local groups arrange activities such as tours, school visits and night markets, while also cleaning sites, checking basic equipment and reporting problems.
The initiative gives communities new ways to use coastal landmarks and helps the Coast Guard share the work of maintaining them.
Japan has designated 20 working lighthouses as Important Cultural Properties, up from four in 2020, as interest grows in preserving their heritage.
Some communities hope to expand tours and other visitor activities, while the Coast Guard wants people to learn about lighthouse history and their role in ship safety.
Japan is opening more lighthouses to visitors through a Japan Coast Guard initiative that partners with private organizations and local groups.
As of the end of October, 62 organizations in 27 prefectures were involved, covering 68 of the country’s roughly 3,100 lighthouses.
Partner groups can help maintain sites and organize tours and other activities, while the Coast Guard retains oversight.
Some lighthouses now host monthly visits, guided tours, school excursions and community events.
The initiative also aims to raise interest in Japan’s maritime heritage as satellite-based navigation has reduced the need for some lighthouses.
- Who
- The Japan Coast Guard and designated private organizations and local groups.
- What
- A partnership initiative is opening lighthouses to visitors and supporting their maintenance and community use.
- When
- Launched in November 2021. The latest figures are as of the end of October.
- Where
- Across Japan; 68 lighthouses in 27 prefectures were covered.
- Why
- To ease maintenance responsibilities, encourage community interest in maritime heritage and promote local use of the sites.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Four working lighthouses, including Inubosaki Lighthouse, became the first to be designated Important Cultural Properties.
The Japan Coast Guard launched the lighthouse partnership initiative.
Yukinobu Fujiyama visited Kattoshi Misaki Lighthouse with a Coast Guard official.
The initiative covered 68 lighthouses through 62 organizations in 27 prefectures.
- Organizations
- 62
- Prefectures
- 27
- Lighthouses covered
- 68 of roughly 3,100
- Decommissioned lighthouses
- Around 100 over the past decade
- Important Cultural Properties
- 20 lighthouses have been designated
What people are saying
There aren't any tall buildings around here, but from the lighthouse you can see right across Toyama Bay and the Tateyama mountains.
I can't think of a better role than showing people around the lighthouse and explaining its significance.
We want people to learn about the history of lighthouses and the role they've long played in keeping ships safe.