Japan’s Muslim community dates back to 1909, when a Japanese merchant living in Mumbai, India, converted to Islam and become the first Japanese person to go on the Hajj. Japan’s first mosque was built in Kobe in 1935, and one in Tokyo followed three years later.
Today, the vast majority of Muslims in Japan are immigrants from other countries, and there is a small number of Japanese converts.
Living in Saga Prefecture, you may find keeping halal to be quite difficult. But, the nearby metropolis of Fukuoka offers a few options.
Groceries
Azhar Halal Shop
3-36-31-107 Hakozaki Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
Telephone: 092-651-4303
Restaurants
Zaeka – Indian and Pakistani cuisine
1-3-4 Maizuru Akebono Kopo 2F, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Telephone: 092-732-7513
Kebabooz – Sudanese cuisine
Daimyo 2-1-17, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Telephone: 092-716-9192
Bistro Bar Crescent – Moroccan cuisine (Note: link is not official web site)
2-1-25 Susenji, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
Telephone: 092-807-8860
Online Shopping
Fukuoka City Guide
Fukuoka Now have a great guide that introduces a number of the Muslim-friendly establishments in the city of Fukuoka, along with maps to help you find them. Made with the assistance of the Fukuoka Masjid Al Nour Islamic Center, it covers three categories of businesses: those under Muslim management, those frequented by Muslim residents of Fukuoka, and those that sell halal foods.
Thanks to former Saga JET Ahmad and the Al Nour Islamic Center in Fukuoka for the helpful information!
Saga JET Programme 