Muslim-Friendly Tourism in Japan? Visit These 6 Prefectures!

One of the main concerns for many Muslims when traveling to countries with a Muslim minority is the availability of prayer spaces and halal food. However, if you're planning to travel to Japan, there's no need to worry. The Japanese government has been making efforts to make the country more Muslim-friendly by providing various supporting facilities.

While these facilities may not be available in every prefecture, some regions have already built many facilities to accommodate Muslim travelers.  Here are some of those prefectures:

Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the country's major economic centers. As the capital of Japan, it is highly recommended that Muslim travelers visit one of the largest and grandest mosques in Japan, the Tokyo Camii and Turkish Culture Center.  It is located at 1-19, Oyama-cho, Shibuya-ku. To reach this mosque, you can take a train to Yoyogi-Uehara Station and proceed on foot.

Osaka 

Osaka is one of the most recommended destinations in Japan, especially for first-time travelers. You can even find many Indonesians here, whether or not they're tourists or working in Japan. So, it's no surprise that this prefecture has many Muslim-friendly facilities such as halal restaurants. Even the main train station, the Osaka JR Station, also provides a prayer area for Muslims. You can also visit the Osaka Istiqlal Mosque, which Indonesians founded to accommodate the activities of the Muslim community there.

Miyagi

Miyagi is one of the prefectures striving to provide facilities for all its visitors, including Muslim travelers. Not only are there halal foods and prayer areas, they also provide Muslim-friendly inns.If you're staying in these inns, you won’t have to worry about the food, as everything is guaranteed to be safe and halal. If you enjoy socializing, you can also take some time to connect with the local Muslim community in this prefecture.

Gifu

Want to try Japanese treats, but concerned about halal ingredients? Head to Gifu Prefecture and visit the Japanese Sweets Artist Shinya, which offers a variety of Japanese treats. This restaurant is halal-certified, so you can enjoy its food and drinks without worry. While you’re in Gifu, you can also visit Gifu Prefecture's first mosque, the Bāb Al-Islām Mosque, located in Higashimachida-8 Furuichiba.

Nara

Nara is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Tourists are often drawn to visit the Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in the world. Besides sightseeing, you can also interact with the freely roaming deer that wander around the temple grounds.  Nara also provides Muslim-friendly facilities, such as the Nara Masjid and Iqra Academy, which is the first mosque in the prefecture. When it comes to halal food, you can find several restaurants, including Organic Café Hanasaka, which serves a variety of vegan dishes in a Japanese-style ambiance.

Kyoto

Kyoto is also one of the prefectures in Japan that has begun providing various facilities for Muslim travelers. Besides the Kyoto Mosque, several prayer areas are available at various tourist spots, including the Kyoto International Manga Museum, Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, and Nijo-jo Castle. However, you’ll need to ask the staff for assistance in using these facilities. Besides prayer areas, you can also easily find halal restaurants in Kyoto.

In fact, several other prefectures also offer Muslim-friendly facilities, although they may still be limited. However, with the increasing number of Muslim tourists and residents coming to Japan for study or work, hopefully, more prefectures will provide Muslim-friendly facilities.

Now, if you're a Muslim and planning to visit Japan, you don't need to worry about facing difficulties there anymore. So, start planning your trip to Japan. Don’t forget to get your International Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia to ensure a safer and more comfortable journey.