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Compared to most of the non-muslim countries that I’ve had the privilege of visiting, Japan is right there at the top for being muslim friendly – in terms of the availability of halal food and places to pray. As muslims, we still have to perform our daily prayers even when we’re on the move, and when traveling to a non-muslim country, doing so can be a little arduous as we are usually out first thing in the morning up till the last remaining hours of the day. With that said however, there wasn’t a day during our trip in Tokyo had we gone through difficulties in finding a spot to perform our prayers.
Don’t get me wrong – praying facilities are not as readily available as they are in Malaysia, but there is also no need for you to pull the good ol’ fitting room pray-and-dash trick in Tokyo. The praying facilities in Tokyo are not your average prayer room and/or musollah either. Some of them are just empty unoccupied rooms, some are flats cum musollah, and others are merely hidden spaces at the back of differing alleys. It really gives you a gist on how the muslim people in the country go about with their God worshipping duties. After doing some research prior to our trip I managed to work out an itinerary that revolved around certain praying facilities in various parts of Tokyo.
Here are some places that we have prayed at in Tokyo.
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Shibuya Musollah
Hidden in the streets of the ever bustling Shibuya is a musollah set up in a building called Noa Dougenzaka. Originally an apartment, the humble space has since been converted into a space for muslims to comfortably perform their daily prayers. The musollah comes with a toilet where ablution can be done, prayer mats, prayer outfits for the ladies, Qurans, and a myriad of books regarding Islam. Due to space constriction, there is no special space and/or room for the ladies to pray in.
During our second visit to the musollah, we had gotten the privilege to meet the two men who set the place up. One of them told us that they are in the midst of collecting funds to move and expand the musollah to somewhere bigger as the current place can barely accommodate the amount of people who come to perform the Jumu’ah prayer every Friday. May God bless their efforts, and make it easy for them.
The musollah is located on the 11th floor of the Noa Dougenzaka building. You may simply walk into the building, and head straight to the elevator. No registration is needed.
Address: 1107 Sagas Bldg., Dougenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo, 150-0043 Japan
Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka
Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka is a halal ramen shop located in the quiet side of Shinjuku. They don’t have a proper prayer room in the restaurant, but if you ask them, they will guide you to the back alley of their shop where they have a prayer mat ready, hidden from the eyes of the public. Ablution can be done at the restaurant’s toilet, and as for the ladies, take note that prayer outfits are not provided.
We were told that there is also a mosque located about fifteen minutes walk away from the shop.
Address: 1-11-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
Naritaya, Taito
Naritaya is a ramen shop conveniently located near the illustrious Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Taito. The prayer room is on the second floor of the restaurant. In the enclosed prayer room, there is a section especially for ablution, prayer mats, prayer outfits for the ladies, as well as Qurans and various islamic literatures.
Address: 2-7-13, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Disneyland
Good news, fellow muslims! Even the happiest place on earth has a room for muslims to perform their prayers. Simply head to the Main Street House near the entrance of Disneyland, and ask the people at the information counter about a prayer room. Most of the staffs inside the park (other than the ones at the Main Street House) are oblivious to the existence of a prayer room, hence I advice you to head straight to the Main Street House, or ask directions to it in the case of you being lost.
The prayer room at Disneyland is an empty room that is both spacious and carpeted. Ablution needs to be done at one of the park’s many public toilets. Prayer mats, and prayer outfits are not provided. The Disneyland staff who assisted us was very helpful and accommodating – he made sure we were comfortable and even showed us the direction of the qiblah.
Haneda Airport
There are two prayer rooms located on the third floor that is the international terminal departure area of Haneda Airport. I believe that the prayer rooms are not assigned to specific genders as there are no signages depicting so. You need not worry about having to make ablution in the public toilets as there are washing spaces in both rooms specifically for the said act. No praying outfits are provided for the ladies.
Tips
- Other than doing some research prior to your trip, I highly recommend you to download apps that will help lead you to local halal restaurants and/or praying spaces. There are a plethora of them ready to be downloaded and used – all you have to do is choose which is best according to your preference. I mostly used “Halal Navi“. Rent your portable wifi from Travel Recommends and enjoy unlimited 4G wifi with up to five people.
- If there are no praying spaces near you, the other alternative is to find the nearest halal restaurant. They always have a small praying space readily opened for all muslims.
- This is for the ladies – most of the praying facilities in Tokyo do not provide praying outfits, hence it is advisable that you are always prepared with yours. Since I wear the hijab I always make sure to have socks that fully cover up my feet instead of bringing my whole prayer outfit with me.
- Don’t be afraid to ask the locals for information and/or help. Despite the language barrier, the Japanese are some of the most helpful, and accommodating people we have ever met. Most if not all of them would be more than willing to help you. If you don’t ask, you will never know.