How to Find Prayer Rooms in Japan: Kyoto’s Comfy Prayer Rooms

Prayer Rooms in Japan

Japan is a multicultural country which does not only consist of shrines and temples, but also churches and mosques providing its citizens and tourists with a place to contemplate deeds and pray based on their own beliefs. Since Japan does not have a large Muslim population, prayer rooms are quite rare. Nonetheless, there are 80 mosques and more than 50 prayer rooms located throughout Japan that are available for worshippers.  Even in the ancent Japanese of Kyoto you will find a mosque which provides prayer room for citizens and tourists in the very heart of the city.

Kyoto’s Mosques, Prayer Rooms, and Muslim Friendly Shops

Kyoto mosque, located in the Kawaramachi area, is easy to reach by getting bus number 205 from Kyoto Station or Shijo Kawaramachi and get off in Kojinguchi (about 30 minutes). In Kyoto mosque you will also find a Halal shop that provides a lot of foods and beverages, ingredients, and much more which is all halal.

Procedures for Japan’s Prayer Rooms

One may also find many humble prayer rooms in Kyoto, such as the one in the Kyoto Tourist Information Center, on the third floor under Kyoto tower. There are some procedures to consider when you want to make use this prayer room:

Firstly, when you arrive at the information center the staff will kindly help you fill out your personal data and give you a card to use the prayer room.  Inside the prayer room you will find a comfortable and cozy area which is very private and enjoyable.

After finishing your prayers, you hand back the card back to the staff. If you have a resident card or are living in Japan more than 6 months, the staff will make a member card for you – so you don’t need to fill out the personal data every time you visit prayer room.  You just need to show the member card and they will guide you to the prayer room.

This prayer room, as far as I know, is the only prayer room in Kyoto which is very easy to find. It is very comfortable, with a unique interior design identifiable with Japanese style: ergonomic, simple and very chique!

Prayer Rooms: Cleanliness and Restrictions

Moreover, the staff clean the prayer room everyday so it is kept very clean and clear. To ensure everyone has a rightful experience there are some restriction inside the prayer room, such as no drinking or eating, talking loud, sleeping, and playing with your mobile phone.

After you have entered the prayer room, a staff member will hang an “occupied” sign on the door to ensure you will be disturbed.

How to Find Prayer Rooms in Japan

Overall, Kyoto is a Muslim-friendly city with complete facilities provided especially for citizens and tourists who follow Islam. There is information for finding prayer rooms in Japan on special websites, such as Masjid, HalalMedia and HalalinJapan. Some of the prayer rooms and mosques you will find here include:

Source: www.masjid.jp