TOKYO: Japan’s department stores and shopping malls are increasingly installing prayer rooms to cater to the growing number of Muslim visitors, driven by a weakened yen and increased travel from Islamic countries.
At Tokyo’s Matsuya Ginza department store, a dedicated “prayer room” has become a popular spot, with visitors lining up to use the space, which features a foot-washing area and prayer mats. A Malaysian tourist expressed gratitude for finding the room, noting the difficulty of locating such facilities in busy urban areas.
Muslims traditionally pray five times daily, though travel may reduce this to three. Without accessible prayer spaces, visitors might otherwise be constrained to return to their accommodations for worship.
“Prayer rooms are essential infrastructure, akin to bathrooms and nursing rooms,” noted a retail industry representative, highlighting the need for industry-wide collaboration in their installation.
Other Tokyo locations, such as Shibuya Parco, have also introduced worship rooms. Aeon Mall Co. has established prayer rooms in seven locations across various prefectures, with plans for further expansion.
Visitor numbers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey reached over 870,000 in 2023, marking a 2.7-fold increase from ten years ago, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
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