Japan is Nippon 日本語
The white stone Hinomisaki Lighthouse standing on a grassy clifftop above the Sea of Japan
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Shimane · landmark

Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse

出雲日御碕灯台

A white stone lighthouse on a cape at the western tip of the Shimane Peninsula. Its tower is Japan's tallest; climb the spiral stairs for a 360-degree sea view.

The lantern room and viewing balcony at the top of Hinomisaki Lighthouse against a deep blue sky
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Visitors walking toward the tall white tower of Hinomisaki Lighthouse among pine trees
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A stone lighthouse with Japan's tallest tower

Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse stands on the Hinomisaki headland, almost at the western tip of the Shimane Peninsula, about 10km north-west of Izumo Taisha shrine. Construction began in 1900 (Meiji 33), and the light was lit for the first time on 1 April 1903.

From the ground to the top of the tower it measures 43.65m, making it the tallest lighthouse tower in Japan, both when it was built and today. The light sits 63.30m above sea level and reaches about 39km out to sea.

It was designed by the Japanese engineer Ishibashi Ayahiko. The walls are double: cut stone on the outside and brick on the inside, and the lighthouse is regarded as the high point of stone lighthouses designed by Japanese engineers. It was designated a national Important Cultural Property in 2022, and it is also one of the 100 historic lighthouses of the world chosen by the international association of lighthouse and navigation-aid authorities.

The view from a lighthouse you can climb

This is one of Japan's noboreru todai, lighthouses you can go inside and climb. The spiral staircase inside leads to an observation deck at the top of the tower, with the Sea of Japan spread out in front of you. On clear days you may even see the Oki Islands out to the north, while to the south lie ranges of mountains.

Inside, part of the double stone-and-brick structure is left visible. Visiting requires a donation (from junior high school age upwards).

Hinomisaki, a famous sunset spot

The Hinomisaki coast is a line of cliffs carved by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan, with dark reefs along the shore. Being at the tip of a cape, it has fine sunset views, and Izumo is promoted as the sacred land where the sun sets.

Right next to the lighthouse is Fumishima, a small island known as a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls.

Getting there

From Izumoshi Station on the JR San'in Line, take an Ichibata Bus (bound for Izumo Taisha and Hinomisaki) for about 45 minutes and get off at Hinomisaki Todai. From Izumo Taisha it is about 20 minutes by car.

Visiting hours vary by day of the week, and there is a lunch break. Visits are also sometimes suspended at short notice for operational reasons, so check the official website of the Toko-kai (the organisation that runs lighthouse visits) before you go.

Tips

  • On Prefectural Road 29 (the Taisha-Hinomisaki line) leading to the lighthouse, one section runs on a temporary road with alternating one-way traffic (as of September 2026). If you are driving, allow extra time.
  • If you are going by bus, check the times of the return buses in advance.

Sources

Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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