Tokyo Skytree Opens Prayer Room For Muslims

A new prayer space has been added to the Tokyo Skytree in the hopes of better accommodating devout visitors to the iconic landmark that towers over Sumida Ward, Tokyo.

Built by the tower’s operator at the request of foreign tourists to Japan, the prayer space was debuted at a public preview on Wednesday, where a local Muslim couple was invited to become the first to worship in the room.

Space is located on the first floor of the tower and consists of separate sections for men and women, measuring about 8 square meters each. Prayer rugs are available on-site and the ceiling features a Qibla compass which indicates the direction of the Islamic holy site of Mecca.

The Skytree was completed in 2012. After opening, the tower’s operator was inundated with inquiries from prospective visitors who wanted to check if there was a place to worship in the facility. In order to answer these prayers, the company decided to design a dedicated prayer space in consultation with the Made in Japan Halal Support Committee, an organization engaged in the promotion of Halal cuisine and culture in Japan.

“It’s important that we pray on schedule. Having a prayer space [in the Skytree] means we can visit with peace of mind,” said Mohamed Nazeer, the president of a jewelry company in Taito Ward, Tokyo, who participated in the preview.