How to survive as a Muslim traveller in Japan? (Halal Japan Guide)
Kathrine
12-Jan-2026

 

Happy New Year everyone! Here comes a new year, new blog post!

Recently, Tabigo Japan has received quite a few company trip tours from Malaysia. We Malaysians, as a diverse country, it's no surprise that sometimes you have to travel in a group with people who have different needs.

And yes, we've realized that there are some struggles when our Muslim customers travel to Japan for the first time. So today, we'd like to share with our readers—whether you're Muslim or not—some things to be aware of for Muslim needs in Japan.

1. Food

The first thing to encounter is definitely food. Even if the food looks safe on the surface, the truth is that almost all Japanese dishes and snacks contain animal oils or extracts, alcohol (like mirin), or animal-based sauces. And the hardest truth? Most Japanese restaurants don't offer menu customizations either, so we advise you to always check with the staff before entering the restaurant.

Here are a few simple phrases we hope can help you during your travels:

  1. Hararu desu ka? (Is this halal)
  2. Butaniku haitte imasu ka? (Does this food contain pork)
  3. Arukoru haitte imasu ka? (Does this contain alcohol)
  4. Oniku nuki onegaishimasu (No meat please)

Sounds complicated? No worries—we often see this struggle among our Muslim customers, which is why they always opt for our Halal Tour or ask us for help with Restaurant Bookings & Reservations for a hassle-free trip. 😉

2. Prayer

Apart from meals, of course prayer is essential for our Muslim friends too. In Tokyo, it's not hard to find a place to pray. The most common spots you can find around the central areas include Haneda Airport Terminal 3, HIS Harajuku Tourist Information Center, Tokyo Skytree Town, JR East Travel Center (Tokyo Station), and more. However, if you'd like to visit a nice mosque, we recommend Japan’s largest mosque - Tokyo Camii & Diyanet Cultural Center.

Here are some phrases for your needs:

  1. Oinori basho wa doko desu ka? (Where is a prayer place)
  2. Mosuku wa doko desu ka? (Where is the mosque)

Here are some more useful links for your reference!
(Previous Blogs)

We hope today's blog makes your Japan trip a whole lot easier. Don't forget, we're always here to lend a hand if you need any advice. Share this with your friends and family!