Hawaii Island] Why we recommend traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii! Recommended Sightseeing Spots, Food, Activities, and Tours!

Hawaii Island, nicknamed the Big Island

Hawaii Island is called the Big Island because it covers more than half of the total area of the Hawaiian Islands.

Its area is approximately 10,430 square kilometers,About five times as much as the entire Tokyo metropolitan areawill be.

The population is about 150,000, and the cities of Hilo and Kona are located on the east and west sides of the island, respectively.

Hilo also had many immigrants from Japan,Town pioneered by Japanese immigrantsIt is considered to be a

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States in 1959.

Polynesia drifted in around 400 AD, and 500 years later, many immigrants from Tahiti arrived and fostered the Hawaiian culture.

In 1791, Kamehameha united the islands and created the Kingdom of Hawaii.

In the 19th century, American culture began to enter the area with the arrival of missionaries from the U.S. mainland, and in 1898
is a territory of the genus.

suchThe unique history and distinctive culture of the Big Island of Hawaii is another attraction.It is.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

There are two main ways to get to the Big Island of Hawaii.

There are two ways to get to the Big Island of Hawaii from Japan: direct flights from Haneda Airport to Kona International Airport,

You can go to Honolulu Airport from not only Haneda but also Narita, Kansai, Shin-Chitose, and Fukuoka, and transfer to a domestic flight.How to get to Kona International AirportThere are

Direct flights are convenient, but there is only one departure point and a small number of flights,Many Japanese go through Honolulu AirportYou can visit us at

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

The charm of the Big Island of Hawaii lies in its spectacular nature created by volcanoes and the culture and history that have been nurtured there. Let's take a closer look.

 

Spectacular, untouched nature

On the Big Island of HawaiiFive volcanoesThere are

Currently, though, only Kilauea and Mauna Loa are active volcanoes,

Throughout the long history of the earth, the energy of Mother Nature has brought about a variety of landforms.

Not to mention volcanoes, waterfalls, canyons, mangrove forests, and other unspoiled nature to enjoy.One of the attractions of the Big Island of HawaiiIt is.

 

A powerful volcano

It is not easy to visit an active volcano in Japan, but it is possible on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The crater and caldera of Kilauea volcano, which is still erupting, and the flowing lava flow,

You can almost hear the heartbeat of the earth.A powerful volcanocan be seen in the following table.

 

Beautiful Beaches

The Big Island of Hawaii is dotted with many beaches.

For example, Hapuna Beach, which has been named one of the top 10 beaches in the world, and,

King Kamehameha the Great spent his last years.Kamakahonu Beach with very high transparencyThere are many beautiful beaches, including

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

There is a Wal-Mart and Costco on the Big Island of Hawaii, but there are also shopping malls throughout the island that carry local produce, such as the Hilo Farmers' Market and Suisun Fish Market.

They sell fish and vegetables that I have never seen before in Japan,It's fun just to watch.I am sure you will.

Hawaii Island is also an island that attracts tourists from all over the world, and there are many restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from all over the world, including Japanese cuisine.

Of course, loco moco, steak, etc.A place to enjoy Hawaiian cuisine.There are also many

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

TravelOne of the best partswill be able to experience the local culture and history.

The island of Hawaii is rooted in a variety of cultures, including Native Hawaiian customs and culture by immigrants from Polynesia and other areas, and Christian culture by those who migrated from the U.S. mainland.

On the Big Island of HawaiiTours to learn about such culture and historyis also available.

 

Various Hawaii Island
Recommendations

The Big Island of Hawaii has many tourist spots where visitors can experience the great outdoors, including active volcanoes, canyons, and waterfalls.

Not only that, you can also enjoy restaurants and other gourmet foods.Charming islandIt is.

Visit a variety of spots and enjoy the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Recommended Sightseeing Spots

From various Hawaii Island attractionsA spot where you can feel the great outdoorsto the following.

 

Kilauea Volcano

Kilauea Volcano is an active volcano at 1,247 meters.

The word "Kilauea" means "spouting" in Hawaiian, andIt is still actively spewing lava to this day.I am here.

It recently erupted in December 2020, and nearby residents were advised to stay indoors.

 

Recommendations

Kilauea Volcano is a sightseeing spot where visitors can get up close and personal with this natural wonder, and tours are available to see the flowing lava and walk on the already cool lava.

allDynamic Nature's WorkYou will be able to feel the

 

Access

It is approximately a two-hour drive from Kona International Airport,Approximately 1 hour from Hilo International AirportThe following is located in the

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea Volcano is located, requires an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle.

 

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is a 4,205-meter-high volcano.

The weather near the summit is stable and the air is clear,Observatories in various countriesThe company has been

Japan's Subaru Telescope is also located here.

 

Recommendations

What do you recommend on Mauna Kea?Sunset and stargazingIt is.

Gazing at the sun setting into the sea of clouds spreading all around,Feeling very emotional.will be.

Once the sun sets, the sky is full of stars, and thanks to the clear air, the Milky Way, which is hard to see in Japan, is clearly visible in the form of a river.

 

Access

It takes about 1.5 hours from both Hilo and Kona International Airports, but it is not recommended to go there by yourself because the mountain is higher than Mt.

Take a tour and go.

 

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is,Waterfall located in the middle reaches of the Wailuku River, which flows through the eastern part of the island of HawaiiIt is.

The height of the waterfall is about 24 meters, but the waterfall basin is as wide as 30 meters in diameter, and splashes of water falling into the basin sometimes dance and make a rainbow.

 

Recommendations

Due to the angle of the sun, the rainbow is most likely to be visible in the morning.

Also, the higher the water volume, the easier it is to make a rainbow,The day after a rainy day is a good time to visit.It is.

 

Access

From Hilo International Airport, drive through downtown Hilo to Wailuku River State Park. It is a 15-minute drive.

From Kona International Airport, take the Hawaii Belt Road to Daniel K. Inouye Road and drive 1.5 hours, keeping Mauna Kea on your left, to Wailuku River State Park.

 

Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley is the site where King Kamehameha the Great, who unified HawaiiSacred place where he is said to have lived as a child.It is.

In ancient Hawaii, it was considered an important political and religious site.

Waipio Valley, which is said to still be the resting place of kings of the past, isPopular as a power spotThere are

 

Recommendations

Waipio Valley is not only a sacred place,A place where you can feel the overwhelming nature.It is also popular as a

The lush green steep cliffs that approach the blue ocean are beautiful and impressive even when seen from a distance, such as from the Waipio Valley Lookout.

Get close.The view from the bottom of the valley is also fantastic.It is.

 

Access

Take Hawaii Belt Road (HI-19) to Honokaa and take HI-240 Honokaa Waipio Road.

It is approximately 80 minutes from Kona International Airport and 75 minutes from Hilo International Airport.

 

hero

Hilo is on the east coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.County town with a population of about 40,000.It is.

It is also the second largest port city in the state of Hawaii, after Honolulu.

Since the 19th century, the city was once home to a Japanese town, but many immigrants, including Japanese, settled there to work in the sugar cane fields.

 

Recommendations

In the Hilo area,Hawaii Island's Unique Wildernessis spreading.

The clear and beautiful Kealakekua Bay, Waipio Valley, Rainbow Falls and the base of Mauna Kea all offer dynamic natural attractions.

There is also much to see and do in the city center of Hilo.

The statue of King Kamehameha the Great, who unified Hawaii, and the Hilo Grand Shrine are also available.Places worth seeingIt is.

 

Access

Hilo International Airport is adjacent to the city. It is about a 10-minute drive.

From Kona International Airport, which also has flights from Japan,About 1.5 hours by carIt will take

 

Recommended Gourmet

From the many gourmet restaurants on the Big Island of Hawaii,2Introduction of oneI will do so.

 

village burger

Address] 67 - 1185 Hawaii Belt Rd, Waimea, HI 96743

Phone number] +1 808-885-7319

 

Recommendations

There used to be few places to enjoy hamburgers on the Big Island of Hawaii, but thisVillage Burger is a pioneer in this field.It is.

It is not close to the cities of Kona or Hilo, but it is a very popular restaurant.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Business hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. No regular holidays.

The Big Island Beef Burger, made with grass-fed beef from the Big Island of Hawaii and vegetables grown in Hawaii, is very popular.

There is also a meatless Hamakua Mushroom Burger and Waipio Taro Burger.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, take the Hawaii Belt Road north to Waimea and go to the Parker Ranch Center, located near the intersection with Mamalahoa Highway. It takes less than one hour by car.

Parking] There is a parking lot in the shopping center.

 

Big Island Grill

Address] 5-5702 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Phone number] +1 808-326-1153

 

Recommendations

You can enjoy the flavors of local Hawaiian food and American food such as chute ribs.

It is a restaurant that you can casually enter like a Japanese family restaurant.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7:00-10:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Sunday, 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. No holidays.

Popular menu items include eggs benedict for breakfast, loco moco, kalua pork, and saimin.

 

Access & Parking

Access】Drive south from Kona International Airport on Hawaii Belt Road, by Kailua Bay. 20 minutes away.

Parking] Available.

 

Recommended Activities

There are many activities to enjoy on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Here are some activities that are unique to this island.

 

helicopter tour

Helicopters are not readily available in Japan, but on the Big Island of Hawaii, they are used for sightseeing from above the islands and are very popular.

It is also the largest island in the Hawaiian Islands, and it takes about six hours to drive around the island,

Helicopter transportation is an efficient way to enjoy the island's attractions.

 

Recommendations

You can see the great nature of the Big Island of Hawaii, including the cities of Kona and Hilo, the mountains of Kilauea and Mauna Kea, Rainbow Falls, and Waipio Valley. In particular, the view of the crater of Kilauea volcano, waterfalls, and valleys from above is unique to helicopters.

 

Lava Tour

Kilauea Volcano is still active and erupted in December 2020.

Eruptions can cause lava flows to flow out to the coast.

Lava tours are tours that take visitors to see lava that is still flowing and to explore the remains of past lava flows that have already cooled.

 

Recommendations

In Japan, it is not often that one has the opportunity to actually see the crater and lava flow of an active volcano.

Just strolling through the remains of the cooled lava flow, you can feel the dynamic activity of the earth.

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling is an activity that allows visitors to explore the ocean with only a snorkel and fins.

Because it is done at sea level or in shallow water, beginners and children can easily participate.

 

Recommendations

Kealakekua Bay is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Hawaii because of its very clear waters.

Snorkeling allows visitors to observe coral reefs on the ocean floor and schools of tropical fish.

Kahaluu Beach Park also conveniently has snorkeling sets for rent.

It is also popular as a beach with a high probability of seeing sea turtles.

 

riding horse

Horseback riding is not an easy experience in Japan, but on the Big Island of Hawaii, it is often used to explore the island.

Most Japanese will be trying horseback riding for the first time,

The tour will explain the tour before you get on the horse, so there is no need to worry.

Children can also participate, making it a great family trip.

 

Recommendations

We recommend a horseback tour that takes you to Kahua Ranch and Waipio Valley, where you can see the Kohala Coast.

Horses can also make tours through muddy areas, such as canyons and waterfalls, go smoothly.

 

Segway (motorized personal vehicle)

A Segway is an electric standing two-wheeled vehicle that stands on a board passed between the wheels and changes direction by shifting its weight.

It is not very popular in Japan because it cannot be driven on public roads,

Because they can be ridden quickly with a simple lecture, they are increasingly being used in Europe and the United States for city sightseeing and other activities.

You can enjoy the ride as if you were floating in midair.

 

Recommendations

On the Big Island of Hawaii, Segways are used for tours of historic sites in urban areas such as Kailua-Kona.

There are also off-road tours in the rainforest and on the coast for advanced riders.

Both are popular because they are faster and more efficient than walking.

 

Recommended Tours

There are a variety of sightseeing tours available on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here are three carefully selected ones.

 

Kilauea Volcano Helicopter Tour

Take a helicopter ride and look down on the dynamic wilderness of the Big Island of Hawaii from above.

This is a two-hour helicopter tour of Kilauea Volcano, the remains of lava flows, the Kohala Coast, Rainbow Falls, Waipio Valley, and other famous sites.

With an additional option, a Japanese pilot can be guaranteed, and you can enjoy a comfortable cruise in an aircraft with individual seats.

 

Waipio Valley Horseback Riding Tour

Waipio Valley is a sacred place where the royalty of the Hawaiian Kingdom lived.

This tour takes visitors on a horseback ride through a mysterious canyon with sheer cliffs.

Even if it is your first time to ride a horse, there are tours with a Japanese-speaking guide available.

 

summary

The island of Hawaii has been inhabited for approximately 1,500 years, and its people have developed their culture and history on the energetic natural environment.

Today, there are direct flights from Japan, making it one of the easier islands to visit.

The greatest appeal of the Big Island of Hawaii is that you can travel to experience the culture and history of the island and savor its spectacular nature.

We hope you enjoy your trip to the Big Island of Hawaii along with its various activities.

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.