Inubosaki Lighthouse stands at the tip of Inubosaki Cape in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. The cape has long been regarded as a difficult area for navigation because of its many small islands, rocks, and reefs.
Completed in 1874, the lighthouse was designed by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton, who was responsible for designing numerous Western-style lighthouses in Japan during the Meiji period. With its elegant white tower and dramatic coastal setting, Inubosaki Lighthouse is regarded as one of Japan’s most beautiful historic lighthouses.
It has been selected as one of the “100 Best Lighthouses in the World” and among the “50 Best Lighthouses in Japan.” It is also one of only a small number of lighthouses in Japan that visitors can climb.
The lighthouse was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2010 and was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2020, reflecting its historical and architectural significance.
Inubosaki Lighthouse was one of the early Western-style lighthouses constructed by the Meiji government as Japan adopted modern technology and engineering from Europe.
After beginning operation in 1874, the lighthouse has continued to serve as an important navigational landmark for ships traveling across the Pacific Ocean. Its construction formed part of Japan’s efforts to improve maritime safety during a period of rapid modernization.
Richard Henry Brunton was a British engineer invited to Japan during the Meiji period. He played an important role in the development of modern lighthouse construction in Japan and designed many lighthouses throughout the country.
Inubosaki Lighthouse is considered one of his representative works. Its design combines Western lighthouse engineering with materials and construction techniques developed in Japan.
Inubosaki Lighthouse is a distinctive 31.3-meter-high circular tower with white walls. The structure was constructed using brick and stone, giving it a clean and elegant appearance that contrasts beautifully with the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
A total of approximately 193,000 bricks were used for the lighthouse, its attached buildings, and staff residences. In terms of height among Japanese brick-built structures, it is second only to Shiriyazaki Lighthouse in Aomori Prefecture.
When construction was being planned, Brunton initially considered using bricks imported from Britain because the quality of domestically produced bricks was considered insufficient for the project.
Japanese engineers, however, succeeded in producing high-quality bricks using suitable local clay. The resulting bricks were considered comparable to imported products and became an important example of Japan’s growing ability to adopt and develop modern construction technology.
The lighthouse originally used an oil lamp as its light source. Today, the system uses an electric light with a maximum intensity of approximately 1.2 million candela and a range of about 20 nautical miles, or approximately 37 kilometers.
The powerful beam continues the lighthouse’s original role of helping vessels navigate safely through the waters around the Choshi Peninsula.
Inubosaki Lighthouse is open to visitors, allowing travelers to enter the tower and climb to the observation level. It is one of only a limited number of climbable lighthouses in Japan.
Inside the tower is a spiral staircase with 99 steps. The climb provides an interesting opportunity to experience the interior structure of a historic lighthouse rather than simply viewing it from outside.
After reaching the top, visitors are rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view. The vast Pacific Ocean stretches toward the horizon, while the surrounding Choshi coastline and cityscape can be seen below.
On clear days, the view extends toward areas including the Kuju-kuri Coast. The combination of the ocean, rugged coastline, and white lighthouse creates a memorable landscape in every season.
Inubosaki is also famous as a place to watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. On New Year’s Day in particular, many visitors come to the cape to see the first sunrise of the year.
The location provides a particularly dramatic setting because the sun appears to rise directly over the open Pacific horizon.
Inubosaki Onsen is located within walking distance of the lighthouse. Several accommodations and hot spring facilities offer opportunities to relax while enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean.
Combining a visit to the lighthouse with a hot spring stay is a popular way to experience both the natural scenery and traditional Japanese bathing culture of the Choshi area.
The Hilltop Observatory of the Earth Appearing Round offers another impressive viewpoint near Inubosaki. Its name comes from the expansive scenery that makes it possible to appreciate the curvature of the Earth along the distant horizon.
The observatory provides a different perspective from the lighthouse, allowing visitors to take in a broad view of the Boso Peninsula and surrounding landscape.
Inubo Station on the Choshi Electric Railway has a nostalgic atmosphere and is a popular stop for railway enthusiasts. The station is also a convenient starting or ending point for exploring the Inubosaki area.
Traveling by the small local railway adds another memorable element to a visit to this coastal part of Chiba.
The area around the lighthouse is characterized by rugged coastal scenery shaped by the Pacific Ocean. Standing at the cape, visitors can feel the scale of the open ocean and understand why this location has long been important for maritime navigation.
The contrast between the white lighthouse, rocky coastline, blue ocean, and wide sky makes Inubosaki one of the most recognizable scenic locations on the Choshi Peninsula.
From Choshi Station on the JR Sobu Main Line, transfer to the Choshi Electric Railway and get off at Inubo Station. The lighthouse is approximately a 7-minute walk from the station.
This route is convenient for visitors who want to combine the lighthouse with a ride on the nostalgic Choshi Electric Railway.
When traveling by car, Inubosaki Lighthouse can be reached in approximately 60 minutes from the Sawara-Katori Interchange on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway, depending on traffic conditions.
Parking facilities are available around the lighthouse, making the area convenient for visitors exploring the Choshi Peninsula by car.
Inubosaki Lighthouse combines maritime history, Western-style architecture, and spectacular coastal scenery in one destination. Built during the early years of modern Japan, it continues to serve as a navigational landmark while also attracting visitors as an important cultural and sightseeing site.
Climbing the 99-step spiral staircase and looking out across the Pacific provides a particularly memorable experience. The nearby hot springs, panoramic viewpoints, and nostalgic railway station make it easy to combine the lighthouse with other attractions in the Choshi area.
For travelers interested in Japanese history, historic architecture, lighthouses, ocean scenery, and unique coastal destinations, Inubosaki Lighthouse offers an excellent opportunity to experience a different side of Chiba Prefecture.
March-September 8:30-17:00
(GW 8/10 - 8/19) 8:30 - 17:30
October - February 8:30 - 16:00
Open daily (may be closed due to inclement weather)
Adults 300 yen
10 min. walk from Choshi Dentetsu Inubo Stn.