It is also recommended for tourists as you can easily visit without making a reservation. We will introduce everything from how to enter to souvenirs and tours.
No reservation is necessary and you can easily visit
The official name of Tokyo Camii is Tokyo Camii Turkish Cultural Center. The nearest station is Yoyogi-Uehara Station on the Odakyu Line and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, which is nowadays home to many stylish cafes and restaurants. It is about a 5-minute walk from the west exit of the station. The building is designed to faithfully reproduce an Ottoman mosque. There is a bookstore, market, and multipurpose hall on the first floor, and the mosque is on the second and third floors.
The exterior is impressive with its round dome and minaret.
A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims, and there are about 100 of them in Japan. Among them, the large mosque where Friday prayers are held in groups is called a "camii." This is the largest mosque in Japan, and is visited by Muslims from all over Japan, including Tokyo.
The guest room of a Turkish house, located just inside the first floor entrance
Generally, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter mosques, but this is also a place for cultural exchange, so anyone can enter. Admission is free and generally no reservation is required, only on Fridays from 14:00. On weekends and holidays, guided tours are held from 14:30, and no reservation is required. On weekdays, tours can only be arranged for groups of 5 or more (reservations required).
In addition, there are regular events such as Islamic classes for women and children's Quran classes (classes on the Islamic holy book) held every Saturday, as well as occasional events. Please check the official website for details.
Inside, there are beautiful objects and decorations everywhere.
A historic Islamic place of worship with over 80 years of history
This time, I participated in a tour and was guided by Shigeru Shimoyama, a public relations officer. During his university years, Shimoyama stayed in Sudan, Africa, for about a year, and was attracted to the Muslim people he met there and converted to Islam.
Shigeru Shimoyama of Tokyo Camii Turkish Cultural Center. In his left hand he is holding a date, which can be sampled at the entrance on the first floor.
First, we will learn about the relationship between Japan and Turkey and the history of Tokyo Camii. The predecessor of the museum was the Tokyo Mosque. It was established in 1938 by the Turkic Tatars who fled to Japan from Kazan Province in Russia after being persecuted during the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was demolished in 1986 due to deterioration, but was rebuilt in 2000 thanks to donations and other funding.
Multipurpose Hall of the Turkish Cultural Center
As it is a reproduction of an Ottoman mosque, not only the decorations but also the fixtures and furniture were brought over from Turkey. In one corner of the multipurpose hall, there are various books on Islam and a space to read them. There are also many valuable materials, such as a copy of the Quran, a famous scripture, on display.
A space where you can browse Islamic books
The Quranic copy was donated by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, who visited Tokyo Camii in 2015.
Highlights of the beautiful mosque
The stairs at the back of the first floor lead to the upper floor where the mosque is located. After climbing the stairs, there is a balcony on the second floor, and beyond that is the entrance to the mosque.
The entrance to the mosque. Take off your shoes here, open the door and enter the mosque.
When you open the heavy doors, you'll enter a different world. A magnificent space will take your breath away. The mosque has a two-story structure with walls that continue up to a higher level and a dome on the ceiling. There is an overwhelming sense of openness, and it is said that up to 800 people can enter here at one time.
The intricate decorations on all sides create a beautiful dwelling place for the gods.
The recessed area in the center of the front is the "Mihrab" (sacred shrine), which indicates the direction of the holy city of Mecca. It is characterized by the large candle placed there.
The walls and ceilings are decorated with Arabic calligraphy, and the stained glass features arabesque patterns.
The Arabic calligraphy seen throughout the museum uses verses from the Quran, and the arabesque motifs are a variety of botanical motifs, including the original species of tulips and carnations, as well as geometrical designs.
The chandelier has an oriental design
Don't miss the stained glass, which reflects the sunlight and brings a vibrant yet gentle light into the space.
In addition to its architectural beauty, this is the only place where you can see Muslims praying up close.
Rules to know when visiting a mosque
Mosques have separate prayer areas for men and women, and in the case of Tokyo Camii, the second floor (the first floor of the mosque) is for both men and women, and the third floor is for women only. Enter through the door on the right.
Only women are allowed on the third floor.
Aside from the separate prayer areas for men and women, there are two other things to note about Tokyo Camii.
■1. About the shooting
You can take commemorative photos inside the building, but you must notify the office in advance if you want to take photos for any purpose, including for commercial purposes. Please note that taking photos of people during worship is prohibited.
■2.Dress code
Clothing that exposes a lot of skin is a no-no. For example, men should not wear shorts or tank tops. Women should also refrain from wearing revealing clothing such as shorts, miniskirts, and sleeveless tops. It is also important for women to cover their hair with a stole, scarf, or hat.
Bring your own scarf
There are plenty of souvenirs, food and other fun things to enjoy
When you visit, be sure to check out the book section on the first floor, where you'll find foreign picture books, photo books, and Turkish guidebooks that aren't sold in regular bookstores.
Besides books on Islam and academic subjects, there are also many books on cultural themes such as music and art, as well as practical books about spices and Turkish cuisine. Shimoyama also recommends message cards that come with an envelope. The beautiful authentic designs imported directly from Turkey make them ideal gifts and souvenirs.
Message cards are 150 yen
Also noteworthy is the Halal Market, which sells foods permitted by Muslim law. Located in a detached area at the back of the first floor, this store stocks Asian foods imported from Turkey, Indonesia, and Malaysia, as well as Halal Japanese foods such as Japanese rice crackers made with alcohol-free soy sauce. They also have bread, sweets, cheese, and more, so be sure to check it out.
Of all the time of the year, Shimoyama especially recommends the period of Ramadan. In Japan, it is generally considered a strict fasting period, but for Muslims, it is a holy month and a long-awaited month that is by no means austerity.
We fast in the month of Ramadan because it is the month in which Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation from Allah.
Muhammad Rifat Chinar, Imam (leader) of Tokyo Camii
The Islamic calendar has 10 to 11 days less than the Gregorian calendar, so the dates of Ramadan vary from year to year. In 2019, Ramadan was from May 6th to June 3rd, and in 2020, it will be from April 23rd to May 23rd. During this time, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking anything from sunrise to sunset every day, and hold a meal called Iftar after sunset.
Tokyo Camii serves about 500 Iftar meals to the public. What's more, the food is authentic Turkish cuisine, prepared by a chef brought over from Turkey just for this occasion.
If you look at the chandelier from underneath, it has a hexagonal shape like a snowflake.
The free tour, held every Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 p.m., lasts about 90 minutes. The time flies by due to the fascinating stories and the extraordinary feeling of traveling in the local area. Mr. Shimoyama also patiently answered all of our questions, making for a very fulfilling experience.
The beauty of Tokyo Camii is that you can see and experience the space itself and the worship scene up close. Not only will you be captivated by the beautiful decorations and refreshed in the sacred space, but it is also a place where you can have fun while deepening your knowledge about Islam and Turkey.
| Tokyo Camii Turkish Cultural Center | ||
|---|---|---|
| address | ： | 1-19 Oyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
| phone | ： | 03-5790-0760 |
| open | ： | 10:00～18:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | Open daily |
| web | ： | https://tokyocamii.org/ |
Photo by Hiroyuki Toyokawa
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
