About

Waza Imports (Pty) Ltd. ('WAZA') was registered in 2014 in Cape Town as a specialist importer, retailer, and wholesaler of quality Japanese goods in South Africa. The inspiration for WAZA came from our own travels to Japan since 2004. We wanted to use this inspiration and create a (s)low consumption shopping experience where the best of Japan and South Africa meet.

Our mission at WAZA is to celebrate Japanese craftsmanship. The goods we sell are carefully selected for their design, durability and practical use. WAZA is represented in Tokyo, and with our Japanese colleagues we work directly with Japanese businesses and craftspeople to source premium products that can be cherished for years and decades.

We sell online and at WAZA Japan Store - our retail store situated at 201 Bree Street, Cape Town. Wholesale and custom orders are done in person, or via email.

Our services at WAZA Japan include:

• WAZA & Friends - small group trips to Japan, focusing on craftsmanship across regions and seasons.
• Japan Travel Advice - a specialist advisory service for prospective travellers to Japan;
• Talks and Slideshows - reflections on our own travels to Japan, for groups or organisations who are looking for an informal presentation on Japanese craftsmanship and Japan travel;
• Tea Tastings - we regularly host small groups to taste and experience different kinds of Japanese tea - at our store, or at Japanese-themed events. Contact us to enquire about customised tea tastings in your space;
• WAZA Events - Japanese themed talks, demo's, events and workshops, usually held at our store in Cape Town, bookable via the website;
• Mini Konbini - a food-focused product shelf by WAZA, relaunching in the second half of 2026;
• Custom Orders - a bespoke service for custom orders from Japan.

 

The WAZA business philosophy

Our approach is illustrated by one of our Japanese suppliers, who insists that his 35+ years of experience honing his craft, pales in comparison with the 50+ years of his peers. "I am still learning," he says. This is an approach that also suits WAZA. We subscribe to a gentler way of doing business, based on learning, human interaction and personal experiences. We source products which not only have their own story, but which create new stories and memories. 

We often visit our suppliers first as part of the process of building business relationships built on mutual trust and respect. You can see these visits on Instagram.

At WAZA we continuously research new product ideas and ways to expand our product range in partnership with our network of partners and suppliers. If you are searching for something from Japan that we do not stock, feel free to contact us with your request.

よろしくお願いします!
Hilda and Botha Kruger
WAZA Founders

 

The meaning of WAZA

Where Japan (和 - WA) and South Africa (ZA) meet through skill (技 - WAZA).

"WAZA" is a word play on both the Japanese kanji "wa"(和) and "waza" (技).

The Japanese kanji “wa” (和) embodies the concept of intrinsic Japaneseness, which is traced back to AD604 and is most often translated as harmony/peace. It describes not only things that are uniquely Japanese, but also an approach to life. Think of words like "wagyu" (Japanese beef) or "washi" (Japanese paper). We use this kanji in our logo to show that we actively connect Japan (WA) with South Africa (ZA) through trade and travel.

The Japanese word "waza", when written as 技, means "technique" or "skill." The products we sell all showcase some element of skill, whether through traditional craftsmanship, or through the application of contemporary innovations to traditional designs. We are particularly inspired by the Japanese approach of "monozukuri" (ものづくり), a concept that translates as the "art, science and craft of making things" and which is exemplified in small business manufacturing.

Image courtesy Elle Decoration