The Kinkasan Lighthouse was one of 26 lighthouses designed and built in Meiji period Japan by the British engineerRichard Henry Brunton. Work began in March 1874. It was completed and lit on November 1, 1876, eight months after Brunton left Japan.
The lighthouse was destroyed from July to August 1945 by the United States Navy during World War II, but was rebuilt in February 1946. It was completely automated on April 1, 2005.