Honolulu: the perfect city for your first visit to Hawaii

※The photograph is an image.
©Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
Honolulu is located on the southern part of Oahu and is the capital of the state of Hawaii. This city was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and has long been known as the "center" of Hawaii's economy, culture, and politics. In addition, all international flights from Japan to Hawaii arrive at Honolulu International Airport, and regular flights to Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and the Big Island depart and arrive from here, so many people consider Honolulu to be the "gateway" to Hawaii.
Honolulu is the "center" and "gateway" of Hawaii. If it's your first time traveling to Hawaii, we recommend that you first take the time to explore this area. Dotted with numerous tourist attractions and shopping spots, Honolulu is full of resort essences that will make you say, "This is Hawaii!", centered around Waikiki. This is because you can easily enjoy the condensed charm of Hawaii. Another major attraction of this city is that Japanese is easily spoken at hotels and shops, and there is a well-developed transportation system, including the Waikiki Trolley, that even beginners to Hawaii can use with confidence. There are many hotels with facilities that are friendly to children and seniors, so it is also a good city for family trips and three-generation trips.
Packed with Hawaii's iconic tourist attractions!
©Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
Honolulu is a city that attracts travelers from all over the world and is enveloped in a glamorous atmosphere every day. One of the reasons this city attracts so many people is the abundance of tourist attractions within the area. For example, Diamond Head, beloved as the symbol of Oahu, is a landmark that you will see many times during your stay in Honolulu. There is a hiking trail that can be reached in about an hour and a half, and the view of the Waikiki cityscape from the top of the mountain is spectacular.
©Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
Waikiki Beach, which stretches for about 4km, is arguably the most famous beach in the world. Numerous resort hotels line the beach, and tourist facilities such as the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium are dotted around the area. Honolulu is also dotted with other famous spots where you can experience the beauty of nature, such as Ala Moana Beach Park, known as a famous sunset spot, and Makapuu Point Lighthouse, a view spot on the eastern tip of Oahu.
©Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
Honolulu, once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is home to many historical and cultural tourist spots. Iolani Palace, located in downtown Honolulu, is a historic building known as the only official residence of royalty in the United States. The beautiful and elegant interior of the palace is open to the public, and Japanese language tours are also available. Opposite Iolani Palace is the statue of King Kamehameha the Great, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in the 19th century, so be sure to check it out.
©Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
If you want to learn about Hawaii's history and traditional culture, head to the Bishop Museum, which houses millions of traditional crafts and historical documents. There's also a planetarium and a science adventure center, so kids are sure to be delighted.
Shopping and gourmet food are also great pleasures at a tropical resort
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Speaking of the best part of traveling to Honolulu, shopping is an absolute must. Honolulu, a "shopping paradise," is home to a wide variety of large, unique shopping malls, including Neiman Marcus, a luxury department store frequented by celebrities, Ala Moana Center, with its rows of unique stores, Waikiki Beach Walk, a shopping area with a resort atmosphere, Royal Hawaiian Center, which opened in 2008, and Luxury Row, where numerous high-end brands have stores.
Also, at the discount store Ross Dress for Less, which is very popular among locals, you can find a wide variety of clothing at 20% to 60% off! It has a great reputation for being a great place to find great bargains. Supermarkets such as Walmart and Whole Foods Market have a wide selection of everyday items and foods unique to Hawaii. They are also great places to look for souvenirs.
Another great thing about a stay in Honolulu is the variety of food options. You'll want to try Hawaiian food such as kalua pork, a traditional Hawaiian steamed pork dish; poke, tuna or bonito marinated in aromatic vegetables; the hearty loco moco; and saimin, a noodle dish that originated in Hawaii. Kapahulu Street in the east district of Waikiki is lined with restaurants serving local cuisine, so be sure to check them out. In addition to these, there are a wide variety of gourmet options to add color to your trip to Honolulu, including high-end restaurants where star chefs show off their skills, famous pancake shops that are worth getting up early to visit, and fresh fruit. During your stay, worrying about what you'll eat tomorrow is also a fun part of staying in Honolulu.

Honolulu is convenient, has many things to see, and has a wide range of shopping and dining options. If you're planning on making the most of your first visit to Hawaii, this is the area for you.
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Comment
If you're going to Hawaii for the first time and want to enjoy it to the fullest, make sure you take precautions against jet lag! There is a 19-hour time difference between Japan and Hawaii, and flights generally leave Japan at night and arrive in Hawaii in the morning. The first step to overcoming jet lag is to prepare items such as an eye mask and pillow and get a good night's sleep on the plane. Another key to enjoying your trip is to take advantage of early check-in at a hotel and rest up on your first day without pushing yourself too hard!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.