Travel

WAZA’s Japan travel work is shaped by long-term, first-hand experience of travelling to Japan (over 22 years) and sourcing products from Japan (over 11 years).

Rather than operating as a travel agency, our focus is on sharing context, lessons learned, and practical insight to help people prepare thoughtfully for their own journeys, as well as organising occasional small-group visits linked to our craft and research work.

We do not make bookings or arrange accommodation, transport, or activities on behalf of private travellers. In our advisory sessions, however, we do provide guidance on how travellers can approach this themselves.

Our travel work is structured around two offerings: CHAT and GO.

CHAT — Travel Advisory

WAZA offers informal, experience-based advisory sessions for people planning to travel to Japan independently. These conversations are intended to help travellers think clearly about priorities, pacing, seasonal and regional differences, and practical considerations, drawing on WAZA’s own travel experience rather than third-party packages or booking systems.

Sessions are conversational and advisory in nature and require travellers to have done some initial thinking or outline planning in advance. We then add comments, suggestions, and perspective based on experience. We do not make reservations or bookings as part of this service, but we can recommend appropriate platforms or agencies where relevant.

The aim is to provide orientation and perspective, helping travellers ask better questions and make informed decisions as they plan their own journeys.

A 90-minute advisory session costs R500 and can be conducted in person or virtually. Please CONTACT US to arrange a time.

GO — WAZA & Friends Trips to Japan

WAZA & Friends are occasional small-group visits to Japan, limited to a maximum of eight participants and organised and hosted by WAZA. These trips focus on Japanese craftsmanship, regional character, and direct encounters with makers, workshops, and everyday working environments.

The visits are structured around WAZA’s own sourcing, research, and long-standing relationships in Japan, and are approached as shared, collaborative travel experiences rather than packaged tours. For bookings and in-Japan guiding, we work with registered Japanese travel agencies and our established network of craftspeople and partners.

Information on upcoming WAZA & Friends trips is shared as plans are confirmed. You can read the latest article outlining what is planned for 2026 HERE.