If you’re planning a trip to the Kansai region of Japan and wondering where to pray, don’t worry — Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe all have welcoming mosques that serve both local Muslims and visitors. From Japan’s very first mosque to modern spaces with halal vending machines, here’s a guide to help you stay spiritually connected while exploring Western Japan.
🏙️ Kobe
Kobe is a port city with a long history of international influence. It’s home to Japan’s first mosque and remains a quiet yet important center for Muslims.
🕌 Kobe Muslim Mosque
It is the first and oldest mosque in Japan, built in 1935. With its beautiful glass windows and sturdy structure, this mosque is a symbol of resilience — it survived the devastating WWII air raids that flattened much of Kobe, as well as the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995.
🕌 Hyogo Masjid
This mosque serves both as a place of worship and an Islamic school. It plays a key role in supporting the Muslim community in Kobe and often hosts educational and family-friendly events.
🏯 Kyoto
Known for its temples and tradition, Kyoto is also home to a small but growing Muslim community. In recent years, more mosques have opened to accommodate both local Muslims and tourists.
🕌 Kyoto Central Masjid
Established in 2018, this is one of the newest mosques in the region. Operated by the Kyoto Muslim Community (KMC), Kyoto Central Masjid offers daily prayers and is often a hub for Muslim travelers to pray when visiting Japan’s cultural capital.
🕌 Kyoto Islamic Cultural Center / Kyoto Grand Mosque
©Kyoto Islamic Cultural Center / Kyoto Grand Mosque
Located in a multi-purpose building, the Kyoto Islamic Cultural Center— also known as Kyoto Grand Mosque —has a halal mart on the first floor and the prayer space on the B1 (basement) level. Though slightly hidden and modest in appearance, the mosque is surprisingly spacious and can accommodate a decent number of people.
📍Kyoto Islamic Cultural Center / Kyoto Grand Mosque
🕌 Masjid Al-Huda
This masjid is a standout among urban mosques in Japan. Located in Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward, just five minutes from Rokujizo Station, its exterior features bold wall art and a stunning painted minaret with intricate Quranic calligraphy beneath its window frames on the inside. Originally an old, modest space, it has been beautifully renovated into what some consider one of the most visually striking urban mosques in Japan.
The Friday sermons are conducted in English, and the mosque has a calm, relaxed atmosphere with two stories of cozy, carpeted prayer rooms. It’s a true blend of Japanese architecture and Islamic identity — including traditional steep staircases you’d normally find in a Japanese home.
🕌 Islamic Research Center Japan
©Islamic Research Center Japan
This center provides resources for Islamic studies, hosts prayer services, and supports the Muslim community through education and cultural outreach.
📍Islamic Research Center Japan
🏙️ Osaka
Osaka is a bustling city known for its food, shopping, and nightlife— but it’s also one of the most Muslim-friendly cities in Japan, with several mosques, halal restaurants, and a halal souvenir shop scattered throughout the city.
🕌 Masjid Istiqlal Osaka
Founded by the Indonesian community, it is a favorite among Southeast Asian Muslims. The mosque has its own halal mart and even a vending machine selling halal wagyu beef— making it both practical and unique.
🕌 Osaka Masjid
Established in the 2000s, it offers a wide range of services. There’s a madrassa, a small Islamic library, and regular educational programs. The mosque is also close to a number of halal restaurants, making it a convenient stop for travelers.
🕌 Japan Da’wah Centre & Masjid Al Da’wah
©Japan Da'wah Center & Masjid Al Da'wah
Technically not a full-fledged mosque, this dawah center functions primarily as an Islamic outreach and learning hub— a space for seminars, Islamic classes, and community gatherings. That said, it comes with a bonus: a large prayer room with traditional Japanese tatami flooring, offering a calm and culturally unique setting for prayers. It’s a beloved spot for community bonding and Islamic learning in Osaka.
🕌 Osaka Ibaraki Mosque
Established in 2006 in a cozy Japanese house, this mosque gives off a warm, homey feeling. It was built through the efforts of the Islamic Culture Foundation Osaka (ICFO). The location in Ibaraki City was chosen for its proximity to major institutions like Osaka University and Ritsumeikan University, where many international Muslim students and researchers study.
🕌 Izumi Masjid
This mosque is located in the southern area of Osaka and supports the local Muslim community with prayer services and educational programs.
🛍️ Looking for Halal Souvenirs in Osaka? Visit JAPANeid! (There's Prayer Space Too Here!)
After visiting Osaka’s mosques, why not stop by Halal souvenir shop JAPANeid Osaka, a Muslim-friendly shop that offers a wide variety of halal & Muslim-friendly Japanese snacks and souvenirs? Conveniently located in Osaka near the famous Dotonbori Glico sign, what's more, JAPANeid also provides prayer space!
✅ Separate musolla for men and women
✅ Built-in wudu facilities
✅ Prayer mats, garments, and clear Qibla direction provided
Whether you're in Kobe, Kyoto, or Osaka, these mosques offer a warm welcome to Muslim travelers. Be sure to check their open hours in advance and don’t hesitate to stop by.
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