Japan's Tokyo Mosque Camii (or Tokyo Mosque) has become one of the most popular destinations for Muslim visitors to the city. The familiarity and comfort of a mosque, coupled with its rich history and beautiful architecture, definitely makes it stand out both as a place of worship and an attraction you can't miss when you're in the city.
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Interested to find out more about the Tokyo Camii Mosque and visit it on your next Tokyo trip? Then read on!
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The mosque was first founded in 1938 by Turkish immigrants to Japan (fun fact: 'camii' means mosque in Turkish!) but was greatly damaged by 1986 after years of wear and tear. Reconstruction of the mosque began in 1998, and the mosque as it stands today was reopened in 2000 after extensive renovations. Almost 20 years on from this iconic moment, it's truly become a must-see destination on every Muslim visitor's bucket list. ?
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There is a heavy Ottoman influence in the design of both the exterior and interior of the mosque, featuring stained glass fixtures, an elaborately decorated ceiling, and a sparkling chandelier that will render you speechless. ? The complex consists of the main mosque, a Turkish Culture Center, as well as a halal supermarket that just opened in May 2019! The Tokyo Camii is a cornerstone of the Tokyo Muslim community for both locals and visitors alike. Major events such as nikahs (Islamic wedding ceremonies) are also held within the premises, and a weekly khutbah (sermon) is delivered in Japanese during Friday afternoon prayers. The khutbah is also published in English on the mosque's website if you're interested to find out more!
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The mosque is truly a beautiful and tranquil place to rest, catch your thoughts, and complete your prayers in the middle of a busy day out. Do note that there is a dress code for all visitors as the mosque and prayer hall are sacred spaces. Non-Muslim visitors are requested to remain at the back of the hall so as to not interrupt Muslims who may be praying; the upper floor of the mosque is also reserved for women only. Large groups of more than 5 visitors are requested to inform the mosque ahead of time of their visit.
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Once you've visited the main prayer areas of the mosque, do pop by their halal supermarket to check out what goods they have in stock! If you’re the type of traveller who loves to cook while on vacation, then we suggest heading over here to get your meat supplies as they only stock halal-certified meat. ? Besides halal meat, you can also find other halal ingredients and pre-packed, ready-to-eat meals plus instant noodles from Indonesia (Indomie) and Korea (Nongshim). There are also fresh fruits and vegetables, drinks and products from other countries like Turkish baklava (sweet dessert pastry). ?
Address: 1-１6 Ōyamachō, Shibuya City, Tōkyō-to 151-0065, Japan (〒151-0065 東京都渋谷区大山町１−１6)
Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm daily
Directions: Take the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line or Odakyu Line and alight at Yoyogi-Uehara station. From the station, walk about 5 minutes along Inokashira-dori to get to the mosque.
Contact No: +81 3-5790-0760