I’ve talked about halal food and Muslim-friendly supermarkets before, but here’s what it’s like to visit an actual mosque in Kyoto, Japan!
There’s no doubt that the Muslim community is growing in Japan as more and more foreigners are choosing to live and work in the country.
In fact, even prefectures like Kyoto which are predominantly Japanese are seeing a rise in foreign residents, homeowners, and students that are looking to start a new life in Japan.
As men of the Islamic faith and residents of Kyoto’s semi-countryside town Mukaijima, my brother and I decided to visit the nearest mosque in Kyoto for Friday prayers.
Masjid Al-Huda – Fushimi Ward
Masjid Al-Huda is a mosque located in the Fushimi Ward of Kyoto and is one of many places of Islamic worship popping up across Japan.
About 10 km from Kyoto railway station and a 5-minute walk from Rokujizo station, Muslims of many different backgrounds gather here to attend sermons and perform prayers.
There is plenty of bicycle parking around the mosque and even a convenience store with a car park opposite the street.
Incredible Wall Art
I was impressed by the wall art of this particular mosque which featured a beautiful painting of a minaret, showcasing a brilliant display of contrasting color dynamics.
There are also aesthetic designs featuring Quranic art on the walls beneath the window frames, giving the building a real mosque feel that you’d expect in a Muslim country.
Sadly, it seems foreign establishments of religion such as Masjid Al-Huda are still not 100% trusted in Japan, as there is typically a police officer on guard outside.
On the other hand, the officer is very friendly and even greets the mosque attendees with the classic Islamic greeting “salaam alaikum” and is a great asset for maintaining a sense of safety and security for the mosque (though I can’t help but feel we are being monitored!).
Beautiful Calligraphy
Out of respect for the people in the mosque, I didn’t want to take too many photos inside, but I did manage to capture a glimpse of what it was like inside.
There was beautiful Islamic calligraphy on the wall featuring words like Allah (God) and La illah ha illa Allah (There is no God but Allah).
I found it interesting to see the same Japanese-style steep staircase inside the mosque as the one at our house in Mukaijima.
The Friday sermon was all in English and the environment was calm and relaxed with two-story prayer rooms featuring comfortable prayer mats laid out across the rooms.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience that was very fulfilling as a Muslim.
It even had some nice Japanese touches to it with the steep staircase and the police officer repeatedly saying otsukaresamadesu (“Thank you for your hard work” – a common Japanese phrase said after performing a task) to everyone as they walked out of the mosque.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!