Hawaii tourism rebounds as visitor numbers surge, Japanese market lags behind: Here's why you need to know

However, the Japanese market remains slow to recover, with just under 67,000 Japanese visitors in October, still less than half of the numbers seen before COVID-19.

This slowdown is impacting local businesses, particularly those catering to Japanese tourists.

Coco Nene, a popular shop in Waikiki, has reported a significant decline in sales, as their products, especially those geared towards gift giving, are particularly favored by Japanese customers.

Destination weddings, a key part of the tourism sector, have been notably affected, with Watabe Wedding Corporation announcing drastic reductions in staff hours starting December 1.

Despite these challenges, experts remain hopeful, with Hawaii Tourism Authority officials noting a gradual improvement in the Japanese market, though slower than anticipated.

Mike Palmer, co-owner of Kuhio Avenue Food Hall, believes that once the yen becomes more favorable against the dollar, Japanese tourists will return in greater numbers.

In the first ten months of 2024, Japanese visitors spent $874 million in Hawaii, down from $1.9 billion in 2019.