Pearl Harbor is a memorial that tells the history of World War II.
Officially, it is named the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Because it is a place of great significance in world history, it is also known as a popular tourist spot in Hawaii visited by many people.
Since operating costs are covered by US taxes, admission to the facility and tours of the USS Arizona Memorial are free! (An online reservation on the official website incurs a $1 system management fee.)
There are also facilities that require an admission fee, such as the USS Bowfin Submarine, the Battleship Missouri, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
Each facility takes about one to two hours, so it is a recommended place to visit for a whole day!
4 Facilities at Pearl Harbor
There are four must-see facilities at Pearl Harbor!
If you have enough time, please try to visit all the spots.
USS Arizona Memorial (National Register of Historic Places)
The USS Arizona Memorial is the most popular facility in Pearl Harbor, visited by almost everyone.
The memorial is built to cross directly over the Battleship Arizona, which sank during the war.
Even now, more than 70 years later, several liters of oil still leak from the hull every day. This is called the “Tears of the Arizona” or “Black Tears,” and it is considered a symbol of peace!
Incidentally, admission to the USS Arizona Memorial is so popular that same-day tickets quickly run out if you do not go early in the morning.
Therefore, it is common nowadays to make an online reservation in advance on the official website.
The USS Arizona Memorial tour has a schedule of about 75 minutes, including watching a movie.
Please take your time to tour while deeply feeling the history.
USS Bowfin Submarine
The USS Bowfin is a submarine that was actually used during the war.
It has a very long and narrow structure, and you can see what life was like on board at the time and the special machinery inside the submarine.
Among the facilities at Pearl Harbor, it has the shortest required time of about 45 minutes, so it is recommended for those who do not have much time.
For this reason, you can also visit the nearby Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum as a set.
If you want to make a quick visit and go to other places as well, it is also recommended to only tour the Bowfin and its surrounding facilities!
Battleship Missouri
The Battleship Missouri is a hull that was actually active during the war.
It looks exactly like what you see in comics and movies, creating an irresistible atmosphere for those who love it!
You can thoroughly explore the interior of the massive hull and the cannons with an overwhelming presence.
There are guided tours of about 30 minutes, and you can also rent an audio guide to freely explore and tour on your own.
Incidentally, although not widely known, the Battleship Missouri is the place where the signing ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay at the end of World War II, and the spot where the instrument of surrender was signed remains on the deck.
There are few people before 9:00 AM, so you can even stand on it and take pictures!
Since it is a huge battleship, the required time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is a museum where many fighter planes, including the fuselage of the Zero fighter, are exhibited.
There are many aircraft that you have probably never seen before, so you will definitely be overwhelmed by their power!
Thinking that they built such aircraft long before we were born, we truly feel fortunate to have been born in a peaceful era.
Since the facility here is also vast, the required time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
When visiting Pearl Harbor early in the morning, the wind is calm, there are few people, and it is comfortable. However, in the afternoon, the afternoon sun is strong and the wind picks up, so it is recommended to save the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum for the latter half of your visit!
Pearl Harbor is Recommended on Rainy Days
Many people have a hard time deciding where to go on rainy days in Hawaii.
At such times, you might want to visit Pearl Harbor!
Most facilities are fine even in the rain, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, in particular, is an indoor museum perfect for families.
There are things that kids love, such as a simulator where you can experience flying a fighter plane, and adults can thoroughly enjoy it as well.
By the way, there are combo tickets available that offer an approximately 20% discount if you visit multiple facilities, so I think spending a whole rainy day at Pearl Harbor is a highly viable option!
Pearl Harbor Baggage Rules
At Pearl Harbor, bringing in any kind of bags is prohibited for security reasons.
If you have bags, you will have to check them at the baggage storage facility near the entrance.
The storage facility charges a fee, and it often takes time due to long lines, so it is basically recommended that you do not bring much luggage!
You can bring in items like wallets, cameras, and plastic bottles, so it might be better to go empty-handed wearing clothes with pockets.
Basic Information about Pearl Harbor
| Name | Pearl Harbor National Memorial |
| Address | 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818 |
| Map | |
| Business Hours | 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Admission Fee | Free (Facilities other than the USS Arizona Memorial require a fee) |
| Required Time | Approx. 30 minutes or more |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Paid) * $7 per day |
| URL | Official Website |
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