- Capital
- Tokyo (TYO)
- Dialing Code
- + 81
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +9
- Language
- Japanese
- Best Time to Go
- March - May & September - November
- Currency
- Japanese Yen (JPY)
Travel Tips
- Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available
- If travelling to Fukashima, avoid buying food and water
- There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services upfront
- Japan has a strict social etiquette and expect visitors to be polite and respectful. Shoes should be removed when entering a person’s home or restaurant. Bowing is a common greeting, but handshakes are becoming more common
- Penalties for crimes tend to be severe with zero-tolerance for drug-related crimes
- Identification should be carried at all times
- The most common dangers to travellers are natural disasters – typhoons (August – October) and earthquakes
Last updated 18 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Japan in South Africa
259 Baines Street, Corner Frans Oerder Str., Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0001
Telephone: 012 452 1500
E-mail: consul@pr.mofa.go.jp
Website: www.za.emb-japan.go.jp
Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 12:45 & 13:45 - 17:00
Visas: Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 16:00, (Application in the Morning only, by appointment)
The Embassy of Japan in the Republic of South Africa is also accredited to the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Kingdom of Lesotho
Office of Consul of Japan in Cape Town
21st Floor Office, The Towers, 2 Heerengracht Cnr, Hertzog Blvd, Cape Town
Telephone: 021 425 1695
Visas Telephone: 0800 060 109
Email: enquiries@pr.mofa.go.jp
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 16:00
Visas: consul-cpt@pr.mofa.go.jp
Visas: 9:00 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 16:00 (Application in the Morning only, by appointment）
Public Holidays
2026
Jan: 1, 12
Feb: 11, 23
Mar: 20
Apr: 29
May: 3 - 6
Ju:l 20
Aug: 11
Sep: 21 - 23
Oct: 12
Nov: 3, 23
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders
South African passport holders can apply for an E-Visa if arriving by airplane / international ferry for the purpose of tourism (for a stay of 90 days or less)
E-VISA Applications:
Website: www.evisa.mofa.go.jp
Queries: japan-visa@bricks-corp.com (Please mention your nationality or citizenship and place of your residence in your email)
Required Documents
Format for documents:
- File format: PDF, TIF, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, HEIC
- File size: up to 2MB is recommended
- Maximum number of pages: 50 pages
- Passport
- Passport photo
- Itinerary / Tour Information while in Japan. Include list of accommodations.
- Flight information
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
- If a minor child is applying for an eVISA and travelling alone, a parental consent form must be submitted
- Letter of authorisation (if applying for a 3rd party)
For flights and accommodations, bookings are sufficient. Paid confirmations are not required. If applying for a family on the same itinerary, you can add family members to the application once the principal application has been completed.
Visa Processing Time
Visas are issued within 5 working days after all required documents are submitted properly, the earliest you can apply is 3 months prior to travel
Visa Validity
The period of stay for an eVISA (short-term stay) is either 15 days, 30 days or 90 days
Visa Cost
E-Visa: 15,000 JPY
Payments for the e-visa must be made via credit card on the platform
Entry Requirements
On arrival at the airport, you will be required to login to your profile (on your cellphone) and display the visa issuance notice, screenshots will not be accepted
Visa Forms
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA)
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
4th Floor, Hanzomon First Building, 1-4 Kojimachi-CHIYODAKU, Tokyo, 102-0083
Telephone: 0081 3 3265 3366
Email: tokyo.visa@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco.gov.za/japan/