This illustration shows the route the Japanese bombers took on December 7, 1941. Click on the image to see a larger version. National Geographic has a beautiful version on their Pearl Harbor Commemorative Map that shows the same information in wall map form. Here are more historic photos of the Pearl Harbor attack.
Routes of Japanese attack
An average of 4,000 visitors per day make Pearl Harbor one of the most popular Hawaii activities on any visit to Oahu. Pearl Harbor tours can include just a visit to the Arizona Memorial or can take in all four fascinating museums. Be sure to view our tips for what you need to know before you visit Pearl Harbor.
Arizona Memorial is a short boat ride from the museum.
Pearl Harbor is home to some of the most important World War II historic sites. A shuttle-boat takes visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial built over the sunken remains of the USS Arizona battleship. A short walk away from the Arizona visitor center is the USS Bowfin submarine museum, another interesting destination for those visiting Pearl Harbor.
The Battleship USS Missouri Museum and the Pacific Aviation Museum are located a short shuttle-bus away on nearby Ford Island. Visits to these two fascinating museums are recommended as part of a Pearl Harbor tour if time permits.
This memorial is a moving tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. A visitor center and museum are the land-based portions of the memorial park. A free ferry takes visitors for the short boat ride to the memorial located over the sunken hull of the USS Arizona. Over 1.5 million people visit the Arizona Memorial every year.
USS Bowfin Submarine MuseumGo on board one of the few WWII submarines still afloat and learn what life was like for a submariner. Adjacent to the sub is a fascinating museum focused on the US Naval submarines from the first in 1900 to the nuclear submarines of today. Numerous other submarines, torpedoes and missiles are located on the grounds around the Submarine Museum.
Battleship Missouri Memorial and MuseumThe last of the great US battleships, the “Mighty Mo” took part in many battles during WWII and secured her place in history as the site of the surrender to Allied Forces that ended World War II. Learn what life at sea was like with tours throughout the ship, films, photos and artifacts at the Missouri Museum.
Numerous WWII planes, dioramas, historical movies, and fascinating true stories of heroes and villains make this museum entertaining as well as educational. You can even try your skills in a WWII dogfight in a flight simulator at the Pacific Aviation Museum.
All of these museums share the same parking lot. The stop for the shuttlebus that takes visitors to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum is located just outside the Bowfin Museum (vehicle access is restricted on Ford Island). The shuttlebus is frequent and free for museum ticket holders.
To learn more about the history of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we’ve selected several prominent books and a few DVDs. Have a look at our selection of books and videos about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
