UPDATE: The November 2025 WAZA & Friends Visit to Japan is full booked! Please feel free to still register interest to receive future notifications.
The first WAZA & Friends Visit to Japan is scheduled for 2–15 November 2025. Join us as we learn about Japanese craftsmanship, culture and design, and see monozukuri (the art, science and craft of making things) in action. This article provides an overview to help you decide whether to join.
To register your interest, please complete the online registration form HERE. We will send you a detailed document outlining the itinerary and process. Once you decide to join, you can officially reserve a place. Only eight spaces are available, so if you are interested, you must move fast!
Trip Details
What is WAZA & Friends?
A visit to Japan to experience Japanese culture and craftsmanship. It is open to eight people, joining two members of Team WAZA. The group is small (10 pax) and not a package tour – it is a curated experience for like-minded people that aims to highlight the many facets of Japan, without it feeling rushed.
Who is it for?
Anyone with an interest in Japan. It is ideal for travellers who appreciate structure to their travel itineraries, but also want freedom to explore.
Duration & Dates
12 days (11 nights), from 2 to 15 November 2025. Departure on 2 November to arrive in Tokyo on 3 November. Return on 14 November to arrive in SA on 15 November. Extra dates can be added independently if you want to extend your stay.
Eligibility
Open to anyone 18 years and older. A basic level of walking fitness is required. You must be comfortable to arrange your own flights and travel to and from Japan on your own.
Focus of the Trip
Japanese craftsmanship across three regions and passing through 10 prefectures – from workshops to public spaces. Destinations include Tokyo, Niigata, Ishikawa, Kyoto, and Osaka. It is ideal for those interested in Japanese culture, food, architecture, crafts, and history. While tourist attractions are visited, they are balanced with lesser-known destinations.
Structure & Flexibility
The group will travel and stay together. Day trips and special visits to small factories, craft villages and workshops are pre-arranged, but participation is optional on the day. We value flexibility and individual choice. On the days where day-trips are arranged we will remain flexible to explore unexpected places along the way.
Benefits of joining the group
By joining WAZA & Friends, you will gain unique insights into Japan, combined with a pre-arranged itinerary and bookings. You will also gain access to custom-arranged experiences that go beyond the standard tourist places. Transport includes both public transport (trains and buses) and rental vehicles. Local Japanese guides and interpreters are pre-arranged as needed.
In summary, we take care of logistics, bookings and giving our travel companions unique insights into Japan, but we travel like a group of friends. You also have access to an experienced travel photographer to give advice on anything from quick phone camera shots, to using more professional gear to capture the beauty of Japan.
Trip Coordinators
The trip is coordinated by Botha Kruger and Toast Coetzer, friends for over 15 years. They provide support, context, and guidance throughout and are assisted by Japanese interpreters and local guides in Japan.
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Botha Kruger is the founder and managing director of WAZA. He also works as a strategy consultant and has been travelling to Japan for more than 21 years. Botha personally oversees and manages most aspects of the WAZA business. His interest in Japan spans its history, culture, society, arts and craftsmanship. He stays abreast of Japanese news, politics, trends and culture through daily interaction with the WAZA network of friends and companies.
- Toast Coetzer is a travel writer and photographer who has worked for Weg and Go magazines for much of the past 20 years. He also acts as a co-host on tours all over Africa, including Namibia (Damaraland, Kaokoveld), Kenya (Maasai Mara) and Rwanda (mountain gorillas, Nyungwe forest), and leads hands-on photographic tours to local destinations like the Karoo and Richtersveld. Follow him on Instagram: @toastcards
Cost & Payment
The full cost is R72,800 per person, which excludes the cost of flight tickets and smaller expenses (details provided upon registration). To secure a place, an upfront 10% deposit of R7,280 is payable by Friday, 13 June 2025.
To register your interest, please complete this online form. We will email you a detailed document with more information and instructions on how to reserve your spot.
