ABOUT
About this spot
Kashinozaki Lighthouse, on Kii-Oshima Island in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, is the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan, first lit in 1870. Designed by the British engineer Richard Henry Brunton, it is a beautiful Western-style structure, and the adjacent former keeper's quarters are registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. From the park around the lighthouse, the Pacific Ocean opens up dramatically before you, with an overwhelming horizon so wide you can sense the curve of the Earth. This is also where the Ottoman warship Ertugrul was wrecked in 1890, and the nearby Turkish Memorial Museum and memorial monument still tell the story of the deep friendship between Japan and Turkey. The surrounding walking paths are refreshed by the sea breeze, and from winter to spring the area is a popular scenic spot when wild narcissus bloom in profusion. Combining history, architecture, and sheer natural beauty, it is a classic destination that no trip to the Nanki region should miss.
Last updated March 28, 2026