Benten Island is an island with a circumference of about 4km, located 600m offshore from Cape Oma. The sight of the beautiful contrast between the red of Benten Shrine and the black and white pattern of Omazaki Lighthouse standing out in the Tsugaru Strait is the pride of Cape Oma. The area around Benten Island has strong currents and is a dangerous sea area dotted with reefs, and there have been many accidents at sea, so fishermen still pray to Benten when passing through. Benten’s strongest ally is Omazaki Lighthouse. Its black and white pattern makes it stand out clearly even midday while at sea. In 1921 when Omazaki Lighthouse was first lit, the safety of the sea was supported by the lighthouse keepers who endured the inconveniences of living on a remote island. Since the lighthouse went unmanned in 1991, Benten Island has become a major breeding ground for seagulls and black-tailed gulls since none of their natural predators live on the island. It is a paradise for more than 10,000 seabirds.
★Omazaki Lighthouse Information: One of Japan’s Top 50 Lighthouses
Light Height: 36m (from sea level to the center of the light)
Light Type: Group flashing, white light – 3 flashes every 18 seconds
Light reach: 12 nautical miles (approximately 22km)
★Visit the Omazaki Lighthouse virtually! Land on Benten Island and enjoy 360-degree panoramic and VR images of the interior of the lighthouse, which is not open to the public, and the scenery from the landing. Content is from the 100th anniversary of the lighting of Omazaki Lighthouse in 2021.
★★★Click here for Omazaki Lighthouse One Tap View! (Aomori Prefectural Coast Guard Website)★★★