Battleship Missouri Memorial
Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Oahu, Oahu, HI, 96818
Nicknamed the “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri—now known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial—is the site where the Japanese signed the surrender documents that ended World War II, on September 2, 1945. The ship is now a museum and a memorial to the war’s conclusion.
The basics
The signing of the surrender documents took place in Tokyo Bay, where the USS Missouri was anchored at the time. Today, the ship is docked at Ford Island in Oahu’s Pearl Harbor, near the sunken remains of the USS Arizona. Explore the crew's quarters, browse exhibits about the ship’s history, and walk around the ship’s deck. You can opt for a self-guided audio tour or visit during a guided tour of the entire Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Things to know before you go
Many of the battleship’s exhibits are on the deck of the ship, so make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat.
To save on USS Missouri admission (and admission to all Pearl Harbor historic sites), purchase the Passport to Pearl Harbor online, in advance of your visit.
Don’t miss the exhibit about WWII kamikazes or the dent on the ship, where a kamikaze pilot attacked.
The USS Missouri is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for rent at the main entrance.
How to get there
The USS Missouri is located on Ford Island. Visitors must arrive via the designated Ford Island visitor shuttle, which leaves from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and from the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, or visit on a guided tour. Many full-day Pearl Harbor tours include round-trip transportation from Honolulu, Maui, or the Island of Hawaii.
When to get there
The USS Missouri Memorial is open daily from morning through late afternoon, with slightly extended hours in June, July, and August. The ship is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Near Year’s Day. Pearl Harbor is one of Oahu’s most popular tourist sites, so it can get crowded. Arrive early in the morning or visit during the off-season (in spring or fall) to avoid crowds.
Other Pearl Harbor sites
Pearl Harbor’s main draw is the USS Arizona Memorial, which marks the resting place of the Marines who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Visitors can also tour the USS Bowfin, a WWII-era submarine; learn about submarine history at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park; and see a vast collection of WWII-era planes at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
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