Travel from South Africa to Japan is conditional — see requirements below
This is the generic answer for any South Africa citizen. Not legal or medical advice — verify with your airline and destination authorities before travel.
South Africa passport holders must obtain an eVisa before travelling to Japan for stays of up to 90 days.
Generic country-level guidance for Japan. Verify against the official source before you travel.
This page covers a direct flight to Japan. If your route connects through a third country, that country may require its own transit visa — sometimes even for a short airside layover. Transit rules depend on your specific routing, so check the country you connect through separately, or analyse your full itinerary.
You're travelling to Japan (JP). Your home cellular plan may or may not include data abroad — check your carrier's international options before you fly. An eSIM is a low-commitment alternative if your plan doesn't cover the destination or charges high roaming rates.
Japan (JP) screens applicants and arriving travellers against criminal records (landing permission). If your history is clean, no action — proceed normally. If you've ever been convicted of anything, two things matter: (1) any visa or entry-permit application asks the question, and answering 'no' when the answer is 'yes' is itself grounds for refusal even if the original conviction wouldn't have been; (2) some categories trigger denial regardless — the canonical examples are DUI for Canada and drug-related convictions for Japan. Research waivers / rehabilitation routes well before booking if either applies to you.
Declare ZAR 25,000 or equivalent when entering or leaving South Africa (ZA). Form: SARS declaration. Max ZAR 25,000 cash; foreign currency unlimited but must declare
This page covers the generic case for any South Africa citizen. Sign in (free) to factor in your specific passport expiry, vaccinations, previous visas held, and connecting flights — and get the same analysis for your exact itinerary.
Sign in (free) to personalize →Declare JPY 1,000,000 or equivalent when entering or leaving Japan (JP). Form: Customs declaration. Declare ¥1,000,000+ (approx $7,000 USD) on entry
Your itinerary touches South Africa (ZA), where malaria transmission occurs. Transmission is often region-limited within a country (e.g. coastal vs highland zones) and varies by season. Discuss prophylaxis with a travel medicine clinician — the right antimalarial depends on the specific region, your medical history, and any medications you take.
Japan (JP) requires every traveller to submit the Visit Japan Web for entry — best done a few days before departure rather than in the airport queue. Without it, expect to be pulled aside at the border or denied boarding. Apply at: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp
Japan (JP) restricts or bans the import of: stimulants (amphetamine-based ADHD medication like Adderall), pseudoephedrine (some cold medicines), codeine above certain quantities. The risk is real — travellers have been detained at customs for over-the-counter products that are routine elsewhere. If you take any prescription medication, look up the active ingredient against the restricted list above before booking. Always carry the prescription bottle plus a doctor's letter naming the medication and the condition it treats. Adding your medications to your profile (optional) lets us tell you specifically which of yours match. Japan bans most stimulant medications including Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine. Carry Yakkan Shoumei (import certificate) for allowed medications.
Typical September conditions at NRT (Japan (JP)): mild. Typical lows around 19°C, highs around 26°C, moderate rainfall (~195mm for the month).
Your South Africa (ZA) passport requires an e-Visa for Japan. e-Visas need an online application, may require supporting documents (photos, itinerary, hotel bookings), and have processing windows from same-day to two weeks. Apply before booking the flight. Source: Wikipedia visa matrix, synced 2026-06-21T10:11:55.888854+00:00.