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Flights from South Africa to Japan

Cheap Flights to Japan

Want to go Big in Japan? There are no direct flights from any airports in South Africa to Japan. There are 1-stop or 2-stop flight to Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka airports.

Book a cheap flight to Japan by:

  1. Comparing flight prices with the tool on the left & reserving the one which meets your flying needs; and,

  2. Using any

From Johannesburg
From Cape Town
From Durban
Visa Requirements
Attractions
When to Go

  • 30 March 2014 : Air france commences flights from Paris to Tokyo Haneda Airport, creating 1-stop flight options from Johannesburg to Tokyo Haneda via Paris.

Visa Requirements

The basics required for a tourist visa are:

  • Passport (temporary passports not accepted)

  • Completed visa application form.

  • If being invited by family/friends, a copy of the invitation

  • Fee

  • A schedule of what the traveller is visiting

  • List of hotels and copy of booking vouchers

  • A letter from the bank stating that the tourist has sufficient funds to visit Japan.

  • A passport valid which allows reentry into South Africa

  • Return or Onward ticket

  • Yellow Fever Certificate
    Depending on your reason for visit, you may be required to furnish other documents like invitation letter or employment letter.

It's possible that visa requirements have changed from the above. To check current information on visa requirements, visit the Japanese Embassy website or contact them on 012-452-1500 or info@embjapan.org.za. Their physical address is 259 Baines Street, Groenkloof, Pretoria. There is also a Japanese consular office in Cape Town, situated at 2100 Main Tower, Standard Bank Centre, Heerengracht, Cape Town (phone 021-425-1695). There have been reports that a certain staff member at the Cape Town Japanese Consulate is particularly harsh with his requirements. Note that the embassy and consular offices will be closed on Japanese public holidays.

South African Conslate General in Japan

If you need consular advice upon your arrival in Japan, contact the South African consulate office at:

  • Physical Address: 34th Floor, Hanzomon First Building, 1-4 Kojimachi - CHIYODA-KU, Tokyo 

  • Email: visa@dirco.gov.za

  • Phone: +81-3-326-53366

Johannesburg to Japan

Airlines flying from Johannesburg to Tokyo (Haneda Airport is closer to the city centre, so is popular amongst business travellers):

  • Narita International Airport (NRT): Qatar Airways (Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), SAA/Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Thai Airways (via Bangkok), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi), Air France and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt).

  • Haneda Airport (HND): Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Emirates (via Dubai), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), British Airways (via Heathrow), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), Virgin Atlantic (via London Heathrow), and Air France (Via Paris Charles De Gaulle).

For the cheapest 1-stop flight from Johannesburg to Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) compare SAA/Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Qatar Airways (via Hong Kong), Emirates (via Dubai), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), Thai Airways (via Bangkok).

To find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Fukuoka Airport (FUK) compare Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Thai Airways (via Bangkok), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) and KLM (via Amsterdam).

Airlines flying from Johannesburg to Nagoya Airport (NGO) are Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Thai Airwas (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi) and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt).

Cathay Pacific operates flights from Johannesburg to Sapporo Airport (CTS) via Hong Kong.

Cape Town to Japan

Airlines flying from Cape Town to Tokyo:

  • Narita International Airport (NRT): Cathay Pacific codeshare (via Johannesburg & Hong Kong), Qatar Airways (Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) and KLM (via Amsterdam).

  • Haneda Airport (HND): Emirates (via Dubai).

Airlines flying from Cape Town to Osaka (KIX) are Qatar Airways (via Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris)

KLM (via Amsterdam) and Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) operate flights from Cape Town to Fukuoka (FUK).

Singapore Airlines operates flights from Cape Town to Nagoya (NGO) via Singapore.

Durban to Japan

Airlines flying from Durban to Tokyo:

  • Narita International Airport (NRT): Emirates (via Dubai)

  • Haneda Airport (HND): Emirates (via Dubai).

Airlines flying from Durban to Osaka (KIX) are Emirates (via Dubai)

Currency

The currency used in Japan is the yen.

Languages

Nihongo is the official Japanese language. Nihongo is closely tied to the Japanese culture; as a result, it is difficult to find corresponding English words for some of the terms in Nihongo. Other well-known dialects in Japan include Kanto-ben, Okinawa-kotoba, Kansai-Ben, and Tugaru-ben. Overall, Japan’s English proficiency is moderate, so you may struggle a bit to communicate effectively.  You will enhance your stature if you get Nihongo tapes and practice the basics before you leave.

Attractions

Japan is rich in man-made marvels and works of divinity.   Here are some of the places you can have fun at:

  • Visit the 410 years old Nijo Castle at Kyoto.  This is an array of buildings joined by hallways.

  • Visit UJI City and take a cruise through the Uji River to watch Ukai Fishing. Ukai fisherman use a dozen cormorants tied to a rope to catch fish. 

  • Picnic at Ueno Park, which has made a name for itself amongst tourist attractions around the world because of its Sakura flowers - the the Sakura trees blossom in early April.

  • Tokyo Disneyland in Chiba has seven themed parks in addition to the traditional Disneyland themes.

  • The glamorous Universal Studios in Osaka will ensure that you do not miss any of Hollywood’s newest releases, with its 2D, 3D and 4D cinemas.

When to Travel to Japan

If you want to sit under the blossoming Sakura trees, visit Japan in March, April or May. June, July & August are the best months to climb Mount Fuji.

Public holidays in Japan

You may want to time your travels to avoid the elevated costs around public holidays, or to join in the festivities:

  • 1 January

  • 2nd Monday of January (coming of age)

  • 11 February (foundation day)

  • 20 or 21 March (vernal equinox day)

  • 29 April (Showa Day)

  • 3 May (constitution memorial day)

  • 4 May (greenery day)

  • 5 May (children's day)

  • 3rd Monday of July (marine day)

  • 3rd Monday of September (respect for the elderly)

  • 22 or 23 September (autumnal equinox day)

  • 2nd Monday of October (health & sports day)

  • 3 November (culture day)

  • 23 November (labour thanksgiving)

  • 23 December (birthday of reigning emperor)


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