Inubosaki Lighthouse — Japan's Easternmost Sunrise

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.