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Inubosaki Lighthouse

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Inubosaki Lighthouse, built in 1874 by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton, stands 31 meters tall on Cape Inubo — the easternmost point of Japan's Kanto region. The white brick tower is one of only 16 'climbable lighthouses' in Japan, with 99 steps spiraling to an observation deck that provides 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. On clear days, you can see the curvature of the earth on the horizon.

Choshi's position makes it one of the first places in Japan to see the sunrise (along with Choshi's rival claim, Mt. Fuji). On January 1st, thousands gather at the lighthouse before dawn to witness hatsuhinode — the year's first sunrise, considered deeply auspicious. The sun emerges from the ocean in a blaze of orange that photographers chase annually.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (March-September until 4:30 PM) | Grounds accessible outside hours

Closed: Open year-round

Entrance Fee

Lighthouse entry: ¥300 | Inubo Shrine: Free

Best Season

January 1 (New Year sunrise) | December-February for clear sunrise views | Year-round for ocean scenery

Visit Duration

1-1.5 hours (lighthouse + tide pools + shrine)

Getting There

Access Information

Cape Inubo, Choshi City. By bus from Choshi Station (JR Sobu Line, 2 hrs from Tokyo). Lighthouse entry: ¥300. First sunrise Jan 1: arrive by 5:30am.

Insider Guide

Premium

**Sunrise photography timing:** On winter solstice (late December), the sun rises around 6:40am directly over the ocean. The observation deck allows tripod setup — arrive 30 minutes early to claim the east-facing rail. The golden hour lasts 15 minutes before the sky washes out. **Tide pools at low tide:** The rocky coastline below the lighthouse reveals extensive tide pools at low tide (check local tidal charts). The pools contain sea anemones, crabs, and small fish — popular with marine biology enthusiasts. Wear water shoes; the rocks are sharp volcanic basalt. **Adjacent Inubo Shrine:** Directly beside the lighthouse, the small Inubo Shrine is dedicated to maritime safety. The shrine's ema (prayer plaques) are filled with wishes from fishermen and their families. The ginkgo tree behind the main hall is estimated at 400 years old. **Combine with:** The 6.4km line runs from Choshi to Tokawa along the coast — the train survives financially by selling 'name it after yourself' train passes and soy-sauce-flavored sembei at each station.

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