Tokyo Camii & Diyanet Turkish Culture Center
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Yoyogi-Uehara Station · 5 min walk (Odakyu Odawara Line, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- Hours
- 10:00–18:00 daily (Fridays: general sightseeing 14:30–18:00)
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 30–60 min
- Best time to go
- Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays at 14:30 for the free guided interior tour
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Tokyo Camii is Japan's largest mosque, a breathtaking Ottoman-style architectural masterpiece in the heart of Shibuya. Built with imported Turkish marble and adorned with intricate blue tiles and a soaring dome, it offers a serene, visually stunning contrast to Tokyo's modern skyline. Visitors can explore the peaceful prayer hall, learn about Islamic-Japanese history, and browse the halal market and cultural center.
What Japanese guides note
Tokyo Camii welcomes non-Muslim visitors daily, but etiquette requires removing shoes before stepping onto the carpeted prayer floor and maintaining modest dress covering shoulders, upper arms, and knees. Visitors may observe active daily prayers from the back of the second-floor hall, though conversation and photographing worshippers during prayer are strictly banned. The complex is located along Inokashira-dōri five minutes west of Yoyogi-Uehara Station, making it convenient to combine with a walking excursion toward the Japan Folk Crafts Museum in nearby Komaba.
Details from local sources
- Personal photography inside the mosque is permitted exclusively with mobile phone cameras, while dedicated camera equipment is barred without prior written permission. [source]
- General non-Muslim sightseeing is restricted on Friday mornings during congregational Jumu'ah prayer and begins at 14:30. [source]
- Free regular guided tours in Japanese run every Saturday, Sunday, and national holiday at 14:30 without requiring reservations. [source]
- The upper mezzanine floor overlooking the main prayer hall is reserved exclusively for women. [source]
- The site originated in 1938 as the Tokyo Kaikyō Reihaijo, built by Kazan Tatar refugees fleeing the Russian Revolution before its 2000 reconstruction. [source]
- The on-site Halal Market stays open until 19:00 but suspends sales for roughly 30 minutes during scheduled prayer times. [source]
- Shoes must be removed at the prayer hall entryway, and female visitors are required to wear headscarves, which are available to borrow at the entrance. [source]
Insider Tip
Women must wear headscarves and cover shoulders/legs to enter the prayer hall; scarves and abayas are available to borrow at the entrance.
Frequently asked
Can non-Muslim visitors tour Tokyo Camii without a reservation?
Yes. Individual visitors and small groups can enter freely without reservations daily between 10:00 and 18:00. On Fridays, general sightseeing is restricted until 14:30 because of congregational worship. Visitors may enter the second-floor prayer hall to observe services quietly from the designated rear area.
What is the dress code for visiting the mosque?
All visitors must wear modest clothing that conceals the shoulders, torso, and legs down to the ankles; tank tops, shorts, and miniskirts are prohibited. Female visitors must cover their hair with a scarf or shawl, which can be borrowed free of charge near the entrance.
Are cameras allowed inside Tokyo Camii?
Photography is allowed inside the building only when using standard smartphone cameras. Standalone camera bodies, lenses, and tripods are strictly prohibited without prior written media authorization from the administration. Photographing or filming worshippers during prayer services is prohibited at all times.
When are guided tours offered to the public?
Free Japanese-language guided tours start every Saturday, Sunday, and national holiday at 14:30 at the first-floor entrance, lasting 45 to 60 minutes without requiring reservations. Independent groups of five or more seeking weekday tours must book online through the official reservation calendar at least one week in advance.
What facilities are in the Turkish Culture Center?
The ground floor features an exhibition hall, bookstore, and the Tokyo Camii Halal Market, which sells imported Turkish groceries, sweets, and halal meats until 19:00. An adjacent cafe serves Turkish coffee, tea, and baked treats, though retail areas pause operations briefly during daily prayers.
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