What Is Tsunoshima Lighthouse Park (Tsunoshima Tōdai Kōen)? Walk Around a Stone Lighthouse and Coastal Scenery
Tsunoshima Lighthouse Park is located at the western end of Tsunoshima Island (Tsunoshima) in Hōhoku Town (Hōhoku-chō), Shimonoseki City (Shimonoseki-shi), Yamaguchi Prefecture (Yamaguchi-ken). The park lets you explore a Meiji-period stone lighthouse, a museum housed in a restored former official residence, and the coastal scenery of Yumesaki (Yumesaki) in one visit.
The interior of the lighthouse, which is open to visitors, and the outdoor park require different ways of viewing and different safety precautions, so check the opening time, weather, and conditions underfoot when planning your route.
A Lighthouse First Lit in 1876
Tsunoshima Lighthouse (Tsunoshima Tōdai) was first lit on March 1, 1876, and was built as the first large lighthouse on the Sea of Japan (Nihonkai) coast at that time.
It was designed by Richard Henry Brunton, a British engineer invited by the Meiji government, and conveys the modernization of maritime transportation to the present day.
A White Tower Built from Granite
The approximately 30-meter-high tower is a stone structure made from granite quarried in Tokuyama (Tokuyama), Yamaguchi Prefecture. Its natural stone surface looks different from painted white walls.
Up close, observe the joints and texture of the surface. From a little farther away, look at how the tower narrows and contrasts with the blue sea to understand its structure.
Protected as an Important Cultural Property
Tsunoshima Lighthouse was designated a National Important Cultural Property on December 23, 2020. Its value is recognized not only as a lighthouse but also as evidence of the history of modern maritime transportation.
During your visit, do not touch the equipment or stop in passageways. Remember that you are using a preserved facility and follow the staff’s instructions.
| What to See | What to Notice | What It Reveals |
|---|---|---|
| Stone tower | Granite construction and stone surface | Large Meiji-period lighthouse architecture |
| First-order lens | Its size and light-gathering structure | Optical technology that supported navigation routes |
| Former official residence | Exhibits about lighthouse keepers’ lives | The relationship between the lighthouse and daily life |
Climb 105 Steps of the Spiral Staircase to the Top
Inside the lighthouse is a 105-step spiral staircase, offering the distinctive experience of climbing to the top under your own power at a lighthouse open to visitors.
Check Your Physical Condition Before Starting the Climb
The staircase is narrow and steep, and you may need to pass other people along the way. If you are concerned about shortness of breath, dizziness, or your legs and lower back, it is important not to force yourself to climb.
Keep your belongings compact so that both hands are free, and secure your hat and smartphone before proceeding so they do not fall.
Give Way to Others on the Spiral Staircase
Hold the handrail and proceed one step at a time without overtaking. If someone is coming the other way, communicate and pass at a wider point.
Taking photos on the stairs could hold up people behind you or cause you to drop your device, so wait until you reach a place where you can stop safely.
Prioritize Wind Conditions at the Top
From the top you can look across the sea and the terrain of Tsunoshima Island, but the wind may be stronger than at ground level, so prioritize the handrail and your footing over the view.
Access may be restricted during strong winds or bad weather. Follow decisions made on site, and if climbing is not possible, switch to a plan that lets you enjoy the lighthouse exterior from the park.
See the First-Order Fresnel Lens and How the Lighthouse Works
Tsunoshima Lighthouse still uses a first-order Fresnel lens. This 2.59m-high lens was designed by Stevenson in the United Kingdom in 1874 and manufactured by Barbier in France.
A Large Lens That Collects Light
Imagine how the concentric glass sections efficiently collect light and send it far into the distance, and you can see the role of the optical equipment as well as the height of the tower.
The area around the lens remains active navigational-aid equipment, so do not touch it or direct a flash toward it. Observe only from the area open to the public.
Learn About Daily Life at the Lighthouse Museum
Inside the park is the Lighthouse Museum, a restoration of the former lighthouse officials’ residence. Here you can learn about the history of the lighthouse and the lives of its keepers, which cannot be understood by looking at the tower alone.
Your impression of the visit will differ depending on whether you first learn the basics at the museum and then go to the tower, or return after climbing to investigate questions from the experience.
| Order | What You Can Understand | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Museum, then lighthouse | Learn the history and mechanism before seeing the real structure | First-time visitors |
| Lighthouse, then museum | Use the exhibits to answer questions from the experience | Visitors who want a deeper understanding of the structure |
| Exterior only from the park | See the relationship between the stone tower and the coast | Visitors who want to avoid stairs |
Check Visiting Hours and Admission Fees
The closing time for this visitor-accessible lighthouse changes by season, and access may be suspended temporarily for inspections or weather, so be sure to check the visitor information immediately before departure.
Seasonal Visiting Hours
Visiting hours are from 9:00 to 17:00 from March through September and from 9:00 to 16:30 from October through February.
Final admission is 20 minutes before closing in both periods. Allow for crowds and the time needed to climb up and down, and complete reception with time to spare rather than arriving just before closing.
Visitor Donation and Fee Exemptions
The visitor donation is 300 yen for junior high school students and older. Elementary school students and younger, people with a disability certificate, and 1 accompanying person may enter free of charge.
Fees and conditions may change, so check the visitor information and notices on site on the day of use.
| Period | Visiting Hours | Planning Guide |
|---|---|---|
| March–September | 9:00–17:00 | Final admission at 16:40 |
| October–February | 9:00–16:30 | Final admission at 16:10 |
Walk Safely Along the Yumesaki Coast and Through the Park
Around the lighthouse, combine views of the coastal rocks, grassland, and the tower from a low angle to understand the relationship between the building and the cape in three dimensions.
Compare the Lighthouse from the Sea and Land Sides
From the sea side, the horizon and the height of the tower stand out. From the land side, you can see the park’s landscaping and the group of facilities that includes the former official residence.
Move your shooting position little by little and compare how the same tower changes within the landscape. This offers plenty to enjoy even without climbing to the top.
Do Not Underestimate Rocky Ground and Strong Winds
Near the coast there are wet rocks and unstable footing, and you may encounter sea spray or sudden gusts. Stay within posted boundaries and walk in slip-resistant shoes.
If you wait for the evening view, check your return route before dark. During strong winds or high waves, do not approach the sea and view it from the park path.
Check Requirements in Advance Before Flying a Drone
Unmanned aircraft around the park and lighthouse are subject to multiple conditions involving safety management, cultural properties, and effects on other visitors, so do not fly one based on your own judgment.
If you plan to film, check Shimonoseki City’s information about Tsunoshima Lighthouse Park and the procedures required under aviation law, and complete any necessary notifications or permits in advance.
Plan Your Access Route from Tsunoshima Bridge
Tsunoshima Lighthouse Park is at the western end of the island after crossing Tsunoshima Bridge (Tsunoshima Ōhashi). If you visit the bridge scenery and lighthouse on the same day, plan parking and travel time separately.
Use Designated Parking When Traveling by Car
Around the park, follow the signs and use designated parking. Avoid parking on the road or briefly stopping in front of shops.
Weekends, holidays, and evening-viewing hours may be busy, so arrive early. If the parking area is full, do not force yourself to wait and switch to another time.
Check Public Transportation from JR Kottoi Station
From JR Kottoi Station (Kottoi-eki), the Blue Line Kotsu bus (Burūrain Kōtsū) is said to take about 25 minutes to the Tōdai Kōen-mae bus stop, followed by a walk of about 5 minutes.
Service frequency and times may change, so check your return bus before the outbound trip and make a plan that connects with final admission.
See the Bridge and Lighthouse from Different Perspectives
Tsunoshima Bridge opened in November 2000. The 1780-meter bridge presents a different era of civil engineering from the lighthouse as the landscape that introduces visitors to the island.
Do not stop on the bridge or enter the roadway. View it safely from designated viewpoints or parking areas.
Tsunoshima Lighthouse Park Travel Guide Summary
Tsunoshima Lighthouse Park brings together a granite lighthouse first lit in 1876, a 105-step spiral staircase, a first-order Fresnel lens, and the Yumesaki coast in one continuous learning experience. Check the seasonal visiting hours in the visitor information, avoid taking risks in strong winds or on rocky ground, and you can safely experience both the technology of a modern lighthouse and the scenery at the western end of Tsunoshima Island.
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