What to know
Shioyasaki Lighthouse (塩屋埼灯台, Shioyasaki Tōdai) is an active lighthouse in Iwaki City. First lit in 1899, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1939, rebuilt in 1940, damaged in air raids five days before the end of WWII, rebuilt again in concrete by 1947, and damaged in the 2011 earthquake before being repaired and returned to service a few months later.
Perched on a steep hill, the lighthouse requires a five-minute climb up stairs from the parking lot and souvenir shops at the base. The small admission building houses a museum with Japanese-only exhibits on the lighthouse's history. Beyond the museum, another set of stairs leads to the 24-meter-tall lighthouse, which visitors can climb for lovely coastal views.
Shioyasaki Lighthouse sits halfway along the bus line connecting Iwaki Station and Izumi Station (also passing through Onahama). From Iwaki Station, the ride takes 30 minutes and costs 650 yen one way; from Izumi Station, it takes 40 minutes and costs 750 yen. Buses run every 1-2 hours. Get off at Todai Iriguchi bus stop (灯台入口) at the foot of the hill.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 16:00 (until 16:30 on weekends and national holidays from March to September)
- Closed
- Open every day except during very bad weather
- Admission
- 300 yen (~$1.92)
- English name
- Original name
- Shioyasaki Lighthouse
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.