Japan is a country filled with history and culture to explore as well as delicious mouth-watering cuisines to try. It is a destination that has captured our hearts and every trip has been a fun and exciting experience. With that, here are a few things we try to remember as we travel to Japan.
Image Credits: Nur Qa'riah
Since August 2023, Japan has temporarily suspended the sales of their largest types of IC cards, Suica and PASMO. But not to worry, their “Welcome Suica” and “PASMO PASSPORT” remain available, as well as their region cards outside of Tokyo.
For Apple users, you can opt for a virtual IC card by adding the cards into your Apple Pay. However, do note that based on some accounts, you may face trouble refilling the balance using a foreign card (successful cases were using MasterCard or AMEX). If you face troubles, you can add funds to your IC card at the train station. Alternatively, you can also add funds at a convenience store.
As for Android, it’s a little different as only Android phones bought in Japan can use the virtual IC cards. As with Pasmo mobile, it is only available in the Japanese app store.
Since there are the different IC cards available, here is a list of the different regions and coverage for each card:
|
Suica |
JR East trains in Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai *Special tourist version, Welcome Suica, only valid for four weeks |
|
Pasmo |
Tokyo railway, subway, and bus operators *Special tourist version, PASMO PASSPORT, only valid for four weeks |
|
Icoca |
JR West trains in Kansai (including Osaka and Kyoto), Chugoku, Hokuriku *Special tourist version, Kansai One Pass, offers additional discounts at various attractions in Kansai |
|
Pitapa |
Kansai railway and subway operators other than JR *Postpaid instead of pre-paid, not easily available to tourists |
|
Toica |
JR Central trains in Greater Nagoya and some parts of Shizuoka prefecture |
|
Manaca |
Nagoya train, subway and bus operators other than JR and Kintetsu |
|
Kitaca |
JR Hokkaido trains in Greater Sapporo. Can also be used on Sapporo subways, buses and trams. |
|
Sugoca |
JR Kyushu trains in Greater Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Oita and Nagasaki |
|
Nimoca |
Nishitetsu trains and buses in Greater Fukuoka and selected transportations in Kyushu and Hakodate |
|
Hayakaken |
For Fukuoka City Subway |
For someone that is used to smaller train stations, using the public transport in Japan can be daunting due to the large number of exits and signs but we eventually got used to once we figured out how to determine them.
Image Credits: Nur Qa'riah
There are many options to get internet access in Japan. From traditional SIM cards to portable wifi routers. Personally we still find it more convenient to use a physical SIM card. You can search for a prepaid SIM card vending machine at the airport. Some of the vending machines only accept cash and there will be no refunds if you find that your phone is not compatible, so be careful to check the information listed on the machines.
Image Credits: Nur Qa'riah
Japan has a considerably small percentage of Muslim residents however there is a growing number of restaurants. In major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, it’s easier to find Halal-ceritifed restaurants as well as supermarkets and convenience stores that carry Halal products. However, some restaurants that offer a Halal or Muslim-friendly menu do require advanced booking so be sure to check up on that.
If you’re traveling to the outskirts, you can try contacting the hotel or restaurant if it’s possible to arrange for a Halal or Muslim-friendly meal. For one of our destinations, we contacted the innkeepers to arrange for Muslim-friendly meals. Though we weren’t able to email them in Japanese, they kindly prepared our meals based on the information we’ve given them and even took the time to explain their cooking process when we’re there.
Here are some key phrases that you can memorize and use to avoid Pork.
|
Kanji |
Hiragana |
Romanization |
Meaning |
|
豚 |
ぶた |
buta |
Pork |
|
豚肉 |
ぶたにく |
butaniku |
Pork meat |
|
豚肉エキス |
ぶたにくえきす |
butaniku ekisu |
Extracts of pork |
|
豚肉は入っていますか？ |
ぶたにくははいっていますか？ |
butaniku wa haitte imasuka? |
Is there pork in it? |
|
豚肉が食べられません。 |
ぶたにくがたべられません。 |
butaniku ga taberaremasen. |
I can’t eat pork. |
|
宗教上、豚肉が食べられません。 |
しゅうきょうじょう、ぶたにくがたべられません。 |
shūkyōjō, butaniku ga taberaremasen. |
I can’t eat pork because of my religion. |
|
ベーコンやソーセージ、豚由来のゼラチンなども食べられません。 |
べーこんやそーせーじ、ぶたゆらいのぜらちんなどもたべられません。 |
bēkon ya sōsēji, butayurai no zerachin nadomo taberaremasen. |
I can’t eat bacon, sausage, or gelatin derived from pork, either. |
|
宗教上、豚肉が食べられません。このメニューには豚肉やベーコン、豚のエキス、豚由来のゼラチンなど入っていますか？ |
しゅうきょうじょう、ぶたにくがたべられません。このめにゅーにはぶたにくやべーこん、ぶたのえきす、ぶたゆらいのぜらちんなどはいっていますか？ |
shūkyōjō, butaniku ga taberaremasen. kono menyū niwa butaniku ya bēko, butano ekisu, butayurai no zerachin nado haitte imasuka? |
I can’t eat pork because of my religion. Does this menu contain pork, bacon, extracts of pork, gelatin derived from pork or something like that? |
Apart from that, we ensure to carry snacks from back home or even bring ready to eat meals, in the event that we travel to areas with limited food options. (If you live in Asia, I recommend packing Kembara meals.)
Image Credits: Nur Qa'riah
Within the city itself, especially in Tokyo, there are various mosques and prayer spaces available. Apart from those, if you are in the outskirts, you can try asking the businesses if they can accommodate and are willing to let you use a space to do your prayers for a short while.
During one of our trips to Lake Kawaguchiko, we arrived earlier than our check-in time to catch our prayers and the hotel staff kindly understood and directed us to an empty space where we could comfortably take our ablutions and do our prayer. There are many online sites to find convenient prayer spaces for your trip and overall, it’s not all too difficult to find a prayer space in Japan especially for tourist areas.
Image Credits: Nur Qa'riah
There are many great sources that helped us do our research on Halal and Muslim-friendly options, so here are a few sites to get you started.
The JAPAN National Tourism Organization has an official site specially catered for Muslim travelers. You can find extensive Muslim-friendly information and recommended travel plans for different regions of Japan.
As part of the Japan Halal Business Association, Japan Muslim Guide is an easy to use site that helps you find Halal or Muslim-friendly hotels, restaurants, along with a list of mosques and prayer spaces.
Halal Gourmet Japan is a resource for Muslims to find restaurants where they can enjoy meals by providing detailed information so that Muslims can dine in Japan worry-free. They even have an app that will help make your search easier. Additionally, they have a list of masjid and prayer spaces that you can add to your list.
Another great website with one of the largest searchable database for Muslim-friendly options in Japan. Their database listing is highly detailed including additional information of the facilities offered.
Previously known as Halal Media Japan, Food Diversity has grown from a halal and Muslim-friendly brand to encompass vegan, vegetarian, allergies, plant-based, and more. You can find various resources from their downloadable ‘Muslim Friendly Map List’ to stories of Muslims living in Japan.
TOKYO MUSLIM Travelers’ Guide
Published by Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, the TOKYO MUSLIM Travelers’ Guide 2024-2025 details how to travel Tokyo comfortably. From accommodations, restaurants, places of worship, and shops, it is a guide that helps you plan your trip.
If you’re a foodie and want to try all the popular snacks in Japan, this Halal and Muslim-friendly product identifier application will be useful in helping you identify if it’s permissible or not. There are over 25,750 products listed and there are a total of 6 levels for every product.
Image Credits: Nur Qa'riah
Overall, Japan is a great destination with a great variety of things to do and food to try and there are great resources that will help you get the most out of your trip to Japan.
