Finding Qibla Directions In Japan

Finding the qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca) is an important task for Muslims living in Japan and for Muslim visitors from other countries. Many hotels in Japan provide a qibla compass or mark the qibla direction in guest rooms, but if you are staying somewhere without these, you can work it out yourself.

Qibla from Tokyo: about 293° from true north (west-northwest). A source that publishes this figure gives 293.04°. Calculating the great-circle bearing from the coordinates of Tokyo and the Kaaba gives about 293.06°, which agrees.

Practical tip: the bearing changes with your location, so for a precise direction, use a compass or qibla app that reads your position, or ask the mosque or hotel staff.

Source: Times Prayer, qibla direction for Tokyo.

Related reading: Enjoy Halal Friendly Narita Airport and Japan Lacks Graveyards For Muslims.