“Alternating flashing, 10s, white and red.” That is the language of the Ujina Lighthouse, a beacon of safety and guidance here in Hiroshima. Today, we are standing before a sight that embodies both history and hope. This is the Ujina Lighthouse.
The Ujina Lighthouse stands approximately 21 meters high. Its light reaches far, with the white beam visible for 18 nautical miles and the red for 14 nautical miles. The lighthouse uses a sixth-order Fresnel lens made in France in 1895. It is one of only two of its kind still in use in Japan.
Let’s step back in time. The story of the Ujina Lighthouse begins not as a lighthouse, but as a signal tower. In 1894, as the Sino-Japanese War began, the Japanese army’s transportation and communication division erected a signal tower on the southern tip of Ujina Island. This tower communicated with ships entering and leaving Ujina Port. It used flag signals to convey information such as harbor traffic and navigation methods. These flags followed an international code understood by vessels from around the world.
The signal tower served until the end of World War II. Then, in 1950, the Maritime Safety Agency installed a light in the former signal tower. It officially became the Ujina Lighthouse. In 1971, the aging tower was rebuilt with concrete. At that time, it received a sixth-order lens from the former Mukojima Lighthouse.
Did you know that November 1st is Lighthouse Day in Japan? Every year, the Hiroshima Maritime Safety Department holds a public opening of the Ujina Lighthouse. While in previous years, the event saw about 200 visitors, this year, the number of visitors increased to approximately 400. It’s becoming quite the popular event.
While it might not be among the official “Eight Views of Moto-Ujina,” many say the view from the lighthouse is the best. If you ever get the chance to climb to the top, do it. The panoramic vista is worth the effort.
The Ujina Lighthouse is more than just a navigational aid. It represents Hiroshima’s journey from a city scarred by war to a beacon of peace and resilience. It stands as a reminder of the past. It also symbolizes hope for the future. As the alternating white and red light sweeps across the sea, remember the Ujina Lighthouse and its enduring message of guidance and hope.