A Mzansi traveller breaks down what a Japan trip really costs
Sibongile Mafu's TikTok guide to visiting Japan from South Africa has passed 50,000 views, with viewers shocked that the visa now costs over R1,800.
South African travel creator Sibongile Mafu (@sboshmafu) has posted a seven minute guide for South Africans thinking about a trip to Japan, drawing on her own solo trip in 2025. She covers the visa, flights, where to stay and what it all costs. The clip went up on 11 November and has been watched about 51,000 times, with more than 550 shares, within hours.
The part that got the biggest reaction is the visa. She says she paid about R350 for her e-visa in 2025 and that a single entry visa now costs just over R1,800. That lines up with Japan's foreign ministry raising visa fees from 1 July 2026, the first increase since 1978: single entry went from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 and multiple entry from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000, as Travelnews reported. The rand amount moves with the exchange rate.
South African residents can apply online through the official JAPAN eVISA system, but it only covers a single entry tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days. Visiting family or friends, business trips and other visa types still need a paper application. Briefly also picked up the video.
What the comments are saying
@don2gud4u:
"Am I going to Japan? No. Did I watch and listen to this video to the end? Yes." (475 likes)
@jeanetteholland93:
"What?! From R350 to R1800?! Please educate me on this. What would be the reason for this?" (63 likes)
@mokamisu_:
"I paid 1800 for a single entry visa for china for 60 days 🇨🇳 really want to go to Japan as well 🙈" (62 likes)
@nessasdigitaldiaries:
"R160 000?!? I’m going to Greece or Italy rather thank uuu😭" (60 likes)
@tumiandhervolume:
"THIS is service delivery 😉🫶🏾" (16 likes)
@ryvrrrrr_:
"saving this for when i win the lottery ✨" (15 likes)
@karen.emanuel3:
"have you added mind reader to your portfolio because ive been stalking your previous videos for this info. im going in march 2027" (6 likes)
@jey_the_streamer:
"going next year in February.. I have to rethink my budget now and get that suica card 😭" (2 likes)
Video and image: @sboshmafu on TikTok.