Last updated：
The Inubosaki Lighthouse, with its striking white tower piercing the sky, is visible from afar. For nearly 150 years since the Meiji era, it has served as both a beacon for ships crossing the Pacific and a symbol of the region.
Here you can witness Japan’s earliest sunrise and climb 99 spiral steps to enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Beyond its value as a historic brick structure, the site features numerous attractions worth sharing, including a white post box said to bring good fortune and rugged coastal rocks featured in classic film openings.
This article provides all the information you need to make the most of your visit to Inubosaki Lighthouse, from spectacular views and hidden spots to dining options and access details.
Inubosaki Lighthouse is a white lighthouse located in Inubosaki, Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture. Selected as one of Japan’s “World’s 100 Best Lighthouses,” this historic landmark was designed by British engineer Brunton and constructed in 1874. It’s known as one of Japan’s rare brick lighthouses. Situated at the easternmost point of the Kanto region, it offers the earliest view of sunrise and features 99 spiral steps leading to a magnificent Pacific Ocean panorama. With nearby attractions like Inubosaki Onsen and the Choshi Electric Railway, it’s a captivating destination where visitors can immerse themselves in both maritime heritage and history.
Inubosaki Lighthouse Brochure[PDF]
Located at the easternmost point of the Kanto region, Inubosaki Lighthouse is one of the first places in Japan to see the sunrise. On January 1st each year, so many people gather to watch the first sunrise of the year that traffic restrictions are put in place.
2025 Choshi City New Year's Sunrise Information
Additionally, the adjacent Inubow Terasu Terrace hosts special sunrise viewing events.
New Year's Sunrise Special Viewing Ticket - Inubow Terasu Terrace
The “First Sunrise of Japan” has become the most significant event not only for the lighthouse but for the entire Inubosaki area.
The Inubosaki Lighthouse stands approximately 31 meters tall. Inside, visitors can climb 99 spiral steps to reach a viewing platform offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Notably, Inubosaki Lighthouse is one of only 16 lighthouses in Japan that allow visitors to climb to the top. The 99 spiral steps are said to correspond to the name of Chiba’s famous “Kujukuri Beach” (which means “99 leagues”).
At the entrance to the Inubosaki Lighthouse stands a white post box affectionately known as the “Post Box of Happiness.”
Installed on March 14th (White Day in Japan) and painted white to match the lighthouse, it has become popular as the “Romance-granting Post Box,” “Happiness-bringing Post Box,” and “Wish-granting Post Box.”
Letters posted here receive a special scenic postmark from the Choshi Post Office, making them perfect travel souvenirs. (Except during the New Year period from December 13th to January 7th)
Postcards and official Inubosaki Lighthouse postcards can be purchased along with stamps at the souvenir shops in front of the lighthouse or at Inubow Terasu Terrace. For love letters, it’s recommended to prepare them at home before posting.
This spot has become one of the lighthouse’s most popular attractions, both as a travel memento and for those seeking to make their wishes come true.
Right next to the lighthouse is the Inubosaki Lighthouse Museum, where visitors can learn about the lighthouse’s history and role, and view precious artifacts including original lenses used in the lighthouse.
The highlight of the Inubosaki Lighthouse Museum is the display of massive lenses actually used in the lighthouse.
This first-order lens was Japan’s first domestically produced first-order lens and is identical to the one used in Inubosaki Lighthouse. It was used at the Okinoshima Lighthouse in Fukuoka Prefecture for about 100 years, from 1922 to 2007.
The lens itself stands 2.53m tall with a diameter of 3.03m, weighing 2.65 tons. The entire apparatus is 5.15m tall and weighs 13 tons total. Its impressive size is apparent both from its specifications and appearance. Seeing it in person is truly awe-inspiring.
In addition to this lens, several others are on display, including a third-order lens that was used at the entrance to Tokyo Port. The first-order lens is particularly special as this is the only place where visitors can see it integrated with its original rotating mechanism.
During foggy or poor weather conditions when the lighthouse couldn’t be seen visually, sound signals were used to indicate the lighthouse’s position to ships. This facility is the fog signal station. The one at Inubosaki Lighthouse has been preserved and is open to visitors.
This is the fog signal device installed inside the station. Each lighthouse had its own distinct sound pattern to help sailors identify which lighthouse they were hearing.
Visitors can hear the actual fog signal sound that this device produced for Inubosaki Lighthouse.
Before the development of mechanical fog signal devices, huge bells were used to create warning sounds. These were known as fog bells.
The lighthouse grounds display massive fog bells that were actually used at the Shiriyazaki Lighthouse (Aomori Prefecture) and Cape Kattoshi Lighthouse (Hokkaido).
During poor weather conditions, this bell was struck once per minute using a Scottish-made clockwork mechanism. Weighing 1.7 tons, it’s impressively large in person.
The fog signal station houses the lighthouse’s original lens—a first-order octagonal flash lens made in France. This lens was used for about 80 years, from the lighthouse’s completion in 1874 until 1951.
The lens was damaged during World War II and was replaced with the current lens (a domestically produced first-order quadruple flash lens).
The appeal of Inubosaki Lighthouse extends beyond the tower itself.
Just outside the lighthouse, you’ll find a row of restaurants, souvenir shops, and food stalls where you can take a break, enjoy lunch, or go shopping.
The souvenir shops sell many Choshi specialties, from fresh seafood to processed products.
You can also find Choshi Electric Railway’s famous “Nurelsen” and “Mazui-bo” snacks.
Another popular spot is the Inubow Terasu Terrace, a commercial facility that opened in 2015 showcasing Choshi’s cuisine and traditional crafts.
Inubow Terasu Terrace features a café, sells local fresh vegetables, fruits, and seafood, and has an observation deck on the second floor, making it perfect for a break during your lighthouse tour.
Read more about Inubow Terasu Terrace
Have you seen the iconic opening scene of waves crashing against rocks that appeared at the start of films by Toei, the famous Japanese film production company? This opening sequence, known as “Waves on the Rugged Coast,” was filmed right here at the Inubosaki Lighthouse coast.
While Toei’s opening sequence is now created with CGI, this scene was a constant presence in their older films. When you visit, you can connect the actual coastal scenery with those memorable film openings. Even from a distance, the sound of the waves matches the dramatic intensity of the film openings, creating a moving experience.
From the plaza in front of the lighthouse extends the Inubosaki Walking Path, which leads down to the coastline.
The Inubosaki Walking Path allows visitors to stroll along the coastline and get a close-up view of the ocean. The path is paved, making it easy to walk.
From the path, you can see the “Inubosaki Cretaceous Shallow Marine Deposits,” designated as a Natural Monument. The sandstone around the base of Inubosaki Lighthouse was formed from shallow marine deposits approximately 120 million years ago.
Looking towards the sea, you can spot scattered rocks with striped patterns indicating their sedimentary origin. These rocks are known as “Choshi Stone.”
After enjoying the vast Pacific view from the lighthouse, getting this close-up perspective of the ocean adds another interesting dimension to your visit.
Interestingly, the rock formations near the coast are “alternating layers of sandstone and mudstone,” where soft mudstone has been eroded by waves, creating depressions while the harder sandstone protrudes.
The sandstone at Inubosaki is believed to have formed from sand transported here during major storms.
While the traditional way to reach Inubosaki Lighthouse is by changing trains, there’s actually a highway bus service from Tokyo Station that takes you to within an 8-minute walk of the lighthouse.
Despite being at the easternmost point of the Kanto region, the area is easily accessible and surrounded by tourist attractions, making it convenient for exploring Choshi.
For more detailed information, please check the following article.
Read more about How to get to Inubosaki Lighthouse
Since the Meiji era, Inubosaki Lighthouse has stood watch over the Pacific Ocean, unchanged. Its white figure transcends time, continuing to captivate visitors to this day.
The panoramic view after climbing 99 steps, the expectant faces of people waiting for the first sunrise of the year, the smiles of tourists posting letters in the happiness-bringing white post box - standing at Inubosaki Lighthouse and looking around, you can feel how this place is filled with elements that create special moments.
Beyond its charm as an easternmost viewpoint in Kanto, the site offers countless attractions including Japan’s first domestically produced first-order lens and the historic fog signal station. Walking the coastal path reveals 120-million-year-old geological formations, while the sound of crashing waves brings to life the world of classic Toei films.
Moreover, at Inubow Terasu Terrace and nearby restaurants, you can taste fresh seafood and purchase Choshi specialties. Whether you spend half a day or a full day exploring, you’re guaranteed a highly satisfying travel experience.
Inubosaki Lighthouse is perfect for a weekend getaway from the Kanto area, being accessible as a day trip. Be sure to visit this timeless attraction that has been cherished across generations.
