Europamundo runs several Japan tours and from a South African perspective the most-asked question is whether to pick the itinerary that prioritises Mount Fuji and Hakone or the one that emphasises Kyoto and the old capitals. Both are 9 to 12 days. Both run in GO English. Both will be unforgettable, but they're noticeably different trips.
Side by side
| Detail | Japan + Mt Fuji | Japan + Kyoto |
|---|---|---|
| Land cost (from): | R64,000 | R68,000 |
| Length: | 9 to 10 days | 11 to 12 days |
| Cities: | Tokyo, Hakone, Mt Fuji 5th station, Atami | Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima |
| Group size: | 15 to 28 | 18 to 34 |
| Meals included: | Breakfasts + 4 dinners | Breakfasts + 5 dinners |
| Departs from: | JHB via Asia hub | JHB via Asia hub |
| GO English: | Year-round | Year-round |
Mt Fuji tour: the postcard Japan
This is the tour for the visual Japan. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi at sunrise. The hot springs (onsen) of Hakone. A ride on a pirate-themed ferry across Lake Ashi. The 5th station drive up the volcano flank. Tokyo at full neon.
It's shorter (9 to 10 days) which means it's a more compact trip but also a less complete one. You miss most of the cultural-historical side of Japan.
Kyoto tour: cultural Japan
You still get Tokyo (usually 3 nights at the start), but then you bullet-train to Kyoto for 2 to 3 nights and spend your days in temple gardens, geisha streets, the bamboo forest at Arashiyama, and the Fushimi Inari shrine with its tunnel of red torii gates. You'll usually side-trip to Nara (the deer-petting temple town) and to Osaka (street food, modern energy).
Many Kyoto itineraries also include Hiroshima, which is one of the most affecting half-days of any tour anywhere.
The price gap
R4,000 difference. The Kyoto tour is two days longer and includes a fast train segment (Tokyo to Kyoto, 2.5 hours) plus a Hiroshima side-trip. The Fuji tour stays closer to Tokyo so transport costs are lower.
Practical notes for South Africans
SA passport holders need a Japan visa, about R750, applied through Cape Town consulate, takes 5 to 7 working days. Much faster than Schengen. Japan in cherry blossom (late March-early April) is the most photographed time but books out 6 to 9 months ahead. Autumn (October-November) is the second-best window and easier to book.
Flights JHB to Tokyo via Doha (Qatar) or Singapore are around R22,000 to R28,000 economy return.
Verdict
If this is your only ever Japan trip: do the Kyoto tour. You'll come home understanding Japan, not just having photographed it. If you've got limited days or you're combining Japan with Korea or another stop, the Fuji tour is the sharper, shorter option.
Browse Japan tours or compare with our Japan vs South Korea piece.
