Mosques in Tokyo

 Tokyo Camii or Tokyo Mosque is the largest mosque in Japan. The mosque can accommodate up to 1,200 worshipers. It is located just a short walk from Yoyogi-Uehara station (on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and the Odakyu Odawara Line) in Shibuya.

The mosque has an adjoining Turkish culture center so expect to see impressive Ottoman-inspired style. Its architecture is similar to the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

like the Blue Mosque!

main prayer hall

ladies' praying area on the upper floor

Turkish Culture Center.

library

dining hall

It was a Friday and my dad wanted to perform the Friday prayer so we went to Tokyo Camii. Zohor was around 11.40am at that time. We were already late so we were rushing to the mosque. Took taxi from our accommodation and it cost us close to 5000 yen (criessssss), which wasn't that fast compared to taking the train cos the driver misunderstood my weak Japanese so he drove us to Yoyogi station instead of Yoyogi-Uehara station.

We arrived past 11.40am but there weren't many people around. Confused. I thought the prayer had already finished. But how can it be so fast? We found out later that Friday prayer time is fixed at 12.45pm.

Check the mosque's website for the prayer time and other information.

Friday prayer

Tokyo Camii is open to public during the five daily prayers, and the Turkish Culture Center from 10am till 6pm everyday including Sundays and Holidays.

There are a few reminders to take note.

1. Women should cover their hair and any exposed skin before entering the mosque.

2. Men are not allowed to enter the mosque with short pants.

3. Take off your shoes before entering the prayer hall.

4. Do not take pictures at the prayer hall without permission (Urmmm... I'm sorry I took pictures for my blog).

There's another mosque nearby our place. Just a small one. Otsuka Mosque is located in the neighborhood of Otsuka, close to the happening Ikebukuro. It was built in 1999 from local and foreign donations. Major part of the foreign donations came from the prince of Saudi Arabia. 

neighborhood mosque

to the praying area

ablution area

We didn't have the chance to pray here though. I went in but there's a class going on so sorry no photos inside the mosque.