The Anorisaki Lighthouse was designed and constructed by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton.

The octagonal structure was built of Zelkova serrata wood and had a total height of 10.6 metres.

During his career in Japan, Brunton constructed 25 lighthouses from far northern Hokkaidō to southern Kyūshū, each with a different design.

The modern replacement was completed in August 1948 and is a square ferro-concrete structure with a height of 12.7 metres.

Since April 29, 2004, it has been open to the public for tours, with a small museum attached containing displays about the filming of the 1957 Japanese movie Times of Joy and Sorrow.