The first destination most Japanese nationals want to travel to after the pandemic is Hawaiʻi, according to a recent online survey conducted by Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan.
The survey received nearly 14,595 responses, most of whom have traveled to Hawaiʻi previously. About 64% of respondents said Hawaiʻi will be the first place they travel to.
Many Japanese residents are choosing to opt out of international travel because of the tedious process to re-enter the country. A PCR test must be taken prior to boarding the return flight, and again after landing. Then they must quarantine for 14 days.
Travelers arriving from the United States are required to quarantine for three or six days in a government-designated location.
Ayako Ishiwari, the marketing and administrative manager of HTJ, said, "They would like to come back. There are so many people that had to postpone their weddings in Hawaiʻi. They would like to return to Hawaiʻi to have their weddings."
"Or of course, if they have been coming once a year, then they do miss [it]. That was their routine, I mean life. That was their pattern so they would like to come back to Hawaiʻi," Ishiwari said.
Eighty-one flights flew between Hawaiʻi and Japan this month. The Omicron surge is reducing that number to 64 flights in January.
