PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Mitajiri
Pilot
updated Dec 2011Not compulsory. Inland sea pilots are available at Sekisaki, Hesaki and Wada-Misaki, off Kobe. Entry is permitted after sunset. Pilotage is undertaken by Seto Naikai pilot, and board off Moji Ku (33°57'N 130°57'E).
Key data
updated Aug 2026Size limits
Max LOA 233m, beam 38m, draught 10m, 30,386DWT.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range max 3.58m; min 0.49m. In Mitajari the flood stream is NW going and the ebb stream is SE going, the rate not exceeding 0.5kt.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nakanoseki Port Area | 10.00 m | 233 m | 10 |
| Tsukiji Wharf (East) Terminal | 5.50 m | 106 m | 2 |
| Tsukiji Wharf (West) Terminal | 5.20 m | 96 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2019Approach
Draught limitation in the channel to Mitajari is 7.2m and in the channel to Nakonoseki is 10.5m.
Mitajari is entered between O Saki (34°01'N 131°36'E), the extremity of Muko Shima and Miyaga Saki (Ryugu Saki), 0.5nm NE. Mitajari Light is exhibited from a white round concrete tower, which stands on Miyaga Saki (Ryugu Saki). A tower, from which a light is exhibited, stands 0.25nm SE of Miyaga Saki (Ryugu Saki). No 2 Lightbuoy (safe water) is moored 2.5nm SE of Miyaga Saki (Ryugu Saki). A fairway dredged to 7.2m and marked by lightbuoys (port hand and starboard hand), leads to Heiwa Wharf lying on the W side of the harbour. There are depths of 4.0-7.0m alongside the wharf and two mooring buoys are laid off its N end. A shallow channel leads to Heiwa Wharf.
Port limits
The port limits are bounded by both Mitajiri and Nakanoseki also Ton-yaguchi-on-Seto their interconnecting channel, extending seaward in circular areas centred on their respective entrances.
Restrictions
Mitajiri: Entry permitted after sunset.
Nakanoseki: Berthing between sunrise and sunset, unberthing between sunrise and 1 hour before sunset.
In depths of less than 10.5m vessels must have at least 10% of draught as under keel clearance.
Tugs
No tugs stationed at the port, but available from Tokuyama or Ube Ko when required.
Charts and publications
JP1101. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
See Country information.
Communications
Inmarsat: Becoming increasingly popular for direct communication between ship and agent. All agents offices are equipped with telex.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
Free pratique: Available at Tokuyama and/or at Ube.
Radio pratique: Unavailable.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Position: Section Chief.
Address: 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8918, Japan.
Tel: +81 3 5253 8070.
Fax: +81 3 5253 8134.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Dec 2019Repairs
Small repair yards available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from Heiwa Wharf.
Bunkering: Domestic oil available from Heiwa Wharf.
Medical
Available.
About Mitajiri
updated Aug 2026Where it is
Mitajiri is an open port situated on the S coast of Honshu; it is a dual port combining the harbours of Mitajiri and Nakanoseki which together form part of the industrial city of Hofu.
The port
Mitajiri and Nakanoseki are connected by Ton-yaguchi-on-Seto, a narrow drying channel about 1nm long separating Muko Shima from the mainland.
Traffic
Approx 4,000,000t of cargo, 210,000TEU, 53,000 passengers and 4,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Mitajiri
What are the pilot arrangements at Mitajiri?
Not compulsory. Inland sea pilots are available at Sekisaki, Hesaki and Wada-Misaki, off Kobe.
What time zone is Mitajiri in?
Local time at Mitajiri is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Mitajiri?
The deepest berth listed is at Nakanoseki Port Area: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Mitajiri in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Mitajiri?
Port State Control at Mitajiri: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Mitajiri?
The UN/LOCODE of Mitajiri is JPMJR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Mitajiri say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.