Mount Suribachi

Volcano Volcanic hill on Iwo Jima, WWII flag-raising site

Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima was the scene of the 1945 battle and the famous flag‑raising; visitors to the island encounter war memorials, military cemeteries and strict access controls.

Main image
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37mm Gun fires against cave positions at Iwo Jima.jpg
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Browning M1917 Marine Iwo Jima.jpg
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Iwo Jima - Mt Suribachi Detail.jpg

Mount Suribachi is a steep volcanic cone at the southern end of Iwo Jima (Iōtō), one of the Ogasawara Islands administered by Tokyo, Japan, rising to about 169 meters.

A short climb from the island’s southern beaches reaches the summit ridge, which provides views across the island and surrounding ocean; the ascent is relatively brief compared with larger mountains.

The cone was formed by volcanic processes and dominates the southern tip of the island, standing apart from the island’s flatter central areas.

Situated at the southern extremity of Iwo Jima (Iōtō) in the Ogasawara island group, the hill is reached only as part of organized visits due to the island’s restricted access and military administration.

  • Elevation: 169 meters above sea level.
  • Access: The island is administered as part of Tokyo Prefecture and public visits are tightly controlled, with civilian access limited and subject to permission.
Mount Suribachi
24.7506, 141.2895

How to Get to Mount Suribachi #

Mount Suribachi is the volcano on Iwo Jima (Iō-jima) in the Volcano Islands, administratively part of Tokyo. There are no regular civilian flights or ferries to Iwo Jima and access is highly restricted; visits are generally only possible via military transport or specially authorized expeditions. There is no public transport or road connection from mainland Japan, and independent tourist visits are not available without prior permission.

Tips for Visiting Mount Suribachi #

  • Access to Mount Suribachi (Iwo Jima) is highly restricted because the island is controlled by the Japanese government/military - general tourist visits are not permitted without official authorization.
  • If you have a legitimate reason to visit (research, official commemorations, veteran groups), start by contacting the appropriate Japanese authorities well in advance to arrange permission and a guided, escorted visit; there are no public facilities on the island.

Best Time to Visit Mount Suribachi #

Mount Suribachi (Iwo Jima) is on a restricted-access volcanic island; visits are uncommon and typically require authorization - when visits are arranged, spring to early summer (calmer seas) is the likeliest window.

Spring (generally best for access)
Mar-May · 18-24°C
Relatively calm seas and milder weather increase the chances of scheduled or authorized visits; civilian access is uncommon and often requires permission.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 24-30°C
Warmer but with increasing typhoon risk later in summer; sea conditions can become rough and visits may be curtailed.
Autumn-Winter
Sep-Feb · 18-25°C (varies); rough seas more likely
Typhoon season peaks in early autumn and winter sea conditions are often unfavorable; civilian visits remain uncommon and typically require special authorization.

Weather & Climate near Mount Suribachi #

Climate

Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1326 mm/year), wettest in August.

Best Time to Visit
MarchJuneApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
18° 22°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
18° 22°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
19° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 22°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
22° 25°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

May

May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
23° 27°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

108 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
26° 29°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.5h daylight

July

July is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
26° 30°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

157 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (164 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
26° 30°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

164 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (124 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
26° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

124 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

October

October is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (162 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
25° 29°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

162 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 23°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
23° 27°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

121 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
21° 24°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
10.5h daylight

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