Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

16 August 2025

3-minute read

Japan is a country that captivates travellers with its harmonious blend of ancient traditions and modern marvels. After a recent trip to Japan, travel blogger Fatima Vanker shared the essentials of planning a trip to Japan, uncovering practical tips for South African visitors and sharing first-hand experiences on navigating the vibrant cities and must-see attractions across the Land of the Rising Sun.

South African travellers do require a visa when visiting Japan and can obtain an e-visa once details like flight confirmation, hotel accommodation, itinerary and bank statements are uploaded via the Japanese Embassy website. Although there are no direct flights from Johannesburg, tourists can travel to Japan via a number of other countries, most notably through Dubai, Singapore or Hong Kong.

Once you’ve landed, the best way to get around is to use the reliable and advanced public transport systems. While the trains are a “bit overwhelming and challenging to navigate at first,” Fatima says that eventually you do get the hang of it, and her best experience was the Shinkansen bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo.

Cities offering the richest experiences for tourists include the Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo route. Osaka is famous for its night vibes, Kyoto is charming and peaceful with glistening rivers and offers a glimpse into Japan’s rich history and culture, and Tokyo is a buzzing world-class city full of energy.

Japan is famous for its stunning sights and unique experiences. Weather permitting, the spectacularly majestic Mount Fuji is not to be missed on a visit to the country. Attractions like the Shibuya Crossing, the busiest and most famous intersection in the world is worth a look. Doton Bori in Osaka provides an overstimulation of senses with its fun neon lights. The beautiful Basil groves, theme parks, springs and parks are ideal places to take children, and the Animal Café Experiences, where you can interact with wildlife, offers an up-close encounters with animals that you wouldn’t usually find in South Africa.

While accommodation costs can be a concern for those on a budget, it should be kept in mind that hotel rooms in Japan are generally “super small and compact.” Fatima recommends value-conscious travellers to consider business hotels that are cheaper and to book one in a location close to a train station.

While there are halal bodies in Japan, they work differently to South Africa in that they certify the meat but not always the entire restaurant. Many halal-certified restaurants across Japanese cities have a halal menu alongside a non-halal one and also serve alcohol. Muslim tourists are advised to look for restaurants that are fully halal certified. Street desserts are amazing, Fatima says, but be sure to ask what ingredients they use as most do contain ingredients that have animal derivatives.

Islam is prevalent in Japan and masaajid can be found in all the small districts of the city, as well as in the suburbs. There are designated prayer rooms in all the malls and at the train stations.

Language and culture can sometimes be a barrier for visitors, and with English not being widely spoken in Japan, “Google Translate is your best friend.” The Japanese people are incredibly polite, helpful and refined, going the extra mile to help you, and “a smile also gets you very far,” states Fatima.

Fatima Vanker can be found on ventures_with_f on Instagram where she shares pictures of her travels.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Fatima Vanker.