Lighthouses are one of my favorite human-made structures to photograph by the Ocean during the golden hour. And they are a beacon of light for us sailors and passengers and those wishing to explore the Ocean landscape on land visually. When I lead a Hokkaido Photography Tour or a Japan photo tour on the Sea Of Japan, and the lighting is right, we stop in to enjoy a spectacular golden hour at a lighthouse. Along the Sea of Japan from Aomori Prefecture to Kanazawa, the Ishikawa Prefecture capital, there are dozens of lighthouses. The prefecture of Niigata is my 2nd home region in Japan. Niigata is located about mid way between Aomori and Kanazawa, and Niigata is home to five major international Ocean shipping docks, so you know there will be multiple lighthouses. This particular lighthouse is 10 minutes away from my 100-year-old traditional Japanese home in Niigata. And this is a beautiful lighthouse built on a dormant volcano and is perfect for those who love sunsets, dramatic lighting, and jagged rock formation. The region is home to dozens of Kofun mounds and ancient villages rumored to be buried with treasure. Often, priceless Ocean Jade is found on Niigata rock beaches where treasure hunting is allowed. Niigata is the perfect place to live with fresh air, clean and healthy foods. If you fancy seafood and freshly picked vegetables, then you are going to love Niigata. It is home to the countries best rice-growing region, and there are about as many brands of sweet sake produced in the prefecture as there are stars in the sky. And in my home region, there are dozens of healing hot spring resorts such as Iwamuro Onsen village, a 15-minute drive from home. And the best part is Niigata is only about a 3hrs drive from my Tokyo home, but it is worlds apart; Niigata is where authentic Japan still resides, which happens to be to date the oldest recorded settlements in Japan, where arrowheads are often found. Tokyo is a New City and Prefecture compared to Niigata, Tokyo was born in 1603.  Niigata is said to be have been home to the ancients, with it's abundance of fertile soil, hot springs and pleasant Spring to Autumn weather, it's the perfect place to get away from it all, and live a peaceful life, but if you want shopping and nightlife the City of Niigata is just 25 minutes from my home and is comparable to Tokyo.