Crossing brief
How far is it from South Africa to Japan?
Pretoria to Tokyo
- Distance
- 13,496 km
- In miles
- 8,386 mi
- Flight time
- 18 h 30 min
- Time change
- 7 h east
Distance is the great-circle distance between the capitals (Pretoria and Tokyo); flight time is an estimate for a non-stop route at cruising speed. Real schedules vary with routing, winds and connections.
This is a ultra-long-haul route: among the 59 countries we cover, Japan is the #58 closest to South Africa, making it one of the more distant destinations.
Crossing from South Africa to Japan
The practical differences you will notice on this specific trip.
| Time on arrival | You fly east and lose 7 h. On arrival your body clock reads 7 h behind local time — eastward trips take a little longer to adjust to. |
|---|---|
| Power | Pack a plug adapter — Japan uses Type A/B sockets your South Africa plugs do not fit. Voltage changes from 230V to 100V, so check single-voltage devices. |
| Money | 1 ZAR = 9.866 JPY — exchange South African Rand for Japanese Yen before or on arrival. |
Common questions
How far is South Africa from Japan?
About 13,496 km (8,386 miles) in a straight line between the two capitals.
How long is the flight from South Africa to Japan?
A non-stop flight takes roughly 18 h 30 min, though actual times depend on the exact airports and routing.
Will I be jet-lagged flying to Japan?
You fly east and lose 7 h. On arrival your body clock reads 7 h behind local time — eastward trips take a little longer to adjust to.
Updated July 2, 2026