Guide to Halal Restaurants in Tokyo for Muslim Travelers
Is Tokyo Halal-Friendly?
Yes — and it keeps getting better every year.
A decade ago, finding halal food in Tokyo was genuinely difficult. Most Japanese restaurants used pork-based broths, cooking sake, and mirin (a sweet rice wine) in nearly everything. Muslim travelers often had to stick to international food chains or carry their own snacks just to get through the day.
That has changed significantly. Tokyo now has an estimated 300+ halal-certified or Muslim-friendly restaurants, with more opening every year. The city has seen large numbers of Muslim tourists from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Middle East, and Japanese restaurants and businesses have responded by adapting their menus, getting certified, and creating prayer spaces.
Fact: Between January and November 2025, around 558,900 Indonesian visitors and 630,000 Malaysian visitors arrived in Japan — two of the world's most populous Muslim-majority nations. This demand is a major reason Tokyo's halal scene has grown so fast.
You can now enjoy authentic halal ramen, Japanese BBQ (yakiniku) with halal-certified wagyu beef, fresh sushi, tempura, and even traditional multi-course kaiseki meals — all while fully respecting your dietary needs.
Understanding Halal vs. Muslim-Friendly
Before diving into restaurant recommendations, it helps to understand two terms you will see constantly in Tokyo:
Halal Certified
A restaurant with official halal certification has been inspected by a recognized body — such as the Japan Halal Association (JHA), the Japan Muslim Association (JMA), or the Nippon Asia Halal Association (NAHA).
This means all ingredients, cooking methods, and utensils follow Islamic dietary law. There is no pork, no alcohol (not even in sauces or seasonings), and the meat has been slaughtered in the proper halal way. This is the safest option for strict observers.
Muslim-Friendly
A Muslim-friendly restaurant may not have formal certification, but it has made a genuine effort to serve Muslim guests. This typically means no pork on the menu and no alcohol served or used in cooking, but it may not meet every strict halal requirement.
Cross-contamination from shared kitchens is possible. For many travelers, these spots work perfectly fine — but if you are strict, it is always worth double-checking with the staff before ordering.
Pro Tip: When eating at a Muslim-friendly (non-certified) restaurant, ask specifically whether mirin (cooking rice wine), sake, or miso paste made with alcohol is used in the dish you want to order. These are common hidden ingredients in Japanese cooking.
Best Tokyo Neighborhoods for Halal Food
While halal-friendly restaurants are spread throughout Tokyo, some neighborhoods are far easier for Muslim travelers than others. Here are the key areas to focus your time:
Shin-Okubo (Shinjuku)
Often called "Little Asia," this is Tokyo's most Muslim-friendly neighborhood. It has a large Muslim community, mosques, halal grocery shops, and dozens of Indonesian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Korean, and Middle Eastern restaurants. The street known as Islam Yokocho is lined with halal food stalls and spice shops. Start here if you want variety and easy access.
Asakusa (Taito Ward)
Tokyo's most iconic historic district — home to Senso-ji Temple — also has a growing halal food scene. You will find halal ramen, sushi, and cafés within walking distance of the temple. It is ideal for combining sightseeing with good halal meals. The Asakusa Mosque (Masjid Darul Arqam) is also located here.
Shibuya & Harajuku
The fashion and culture hub of Tokyo. Home to the famous Tokyo Camii — Japan's largest mosque — and the Tokyo Camii Halal Market. Halal yakiniku, Indonesian cafés, and certified restaurants are scattered throughout this area. Convenient for prayers and shopping between meals.
Explore Tokyo's culinary secrets on a 4-hour guided food tour, experiencing local izakayas and diverse tastings tailored to your preferences.
Ueno & Okachimachi
This area has a strong resident Muslim community with mosques, halal supermarkets, and affordable halal ramen joints. Close to Ueno Park and many museums. Budget-friendly options make it great for longer stays. Good transport links to the rest of Tokyo.
Ginza & Shimbashi
Tokyo's upscale shopping district. Look here for halal tempura, certified wagyu, and elegant dining experiences. Prices are higher, but the quality is exceptional for a special meal out.
Roppongi & Hiroo
Tokyo's international hub with many embassies. You will find Middle Eastern restaurants, halal falafel spots, and Muslim-friendly dining here. The Arabic Islamic Institute (Hiroo Mosque) is also in this area.
Top Halal Restaurants in Tokyo (2026)
Below is a carefully curated list of the best halal and Muslim-friendly restaurants in Tokyo across different food categories and price ranges. Prices are listed in Japanese yen (¥); approximately ¥150 = $1 USD.
Halal Ramen
Ayam-Ya — Okachimachi (Ueno)
Location: Okachimachi, Taito Ward
Price: ¥900–¥1,400
An Indonesian-inspired halal restaurant serving flavorful chicken ramen and crispy fried chicken (karaage). The broth is deeply satisfying and the menu also includes affordable rice bowls. Very popular with Muslim students and workers in the area, making it feel authentic rather than tourist-facing.
Chicken Ramen Azabujuban
Location: Minato Ward
Price: ¥1,000–¥1,500
A dedicated halal chicken ramen shop with a clean, chicken-based broth that rivals Tokyo's best non-halal ramen spots. The careful attention to halal certification means Muslim travelers can eat here without any doubt. Popular among both locals and travelers for its clean flavors.
Halal Wagyu & Japanese BBQ (Yakiniku)
Gyumon Halal Yakiniku — Shibuya
Location: Shibuya Ward
Price: ¥3,000–¥6,000
Time: 12:00 PM–11:00 PM
One of Tokyo's most beloved halal yakiniku restaurants. Guests grill their own choice of halal-certified beef or chicken over a table grill in a comfortable, private booth-style setting. Perfect for a celebratory meal or a memorable Tokyo food experience. Serves both lunch and dinner.
Ninja Yakiniku Asakusa
Location: Asakusa, 7F The Room Asakusa
Price: ¥7,000–¥8,000
Time: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
Serves premium A5-grade Iga Wagyu beef — some of Japan's finest — in a fully halal-certified environment. The restaurant has dedicated prayer facilities (including a wudu/ablution washroom) on-site, Wi-Fi, English-speaking staff, and vegetarian options. A 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
Halal Wagyu Yakiniku PANGA — Ueno
Location: Ueno, Taito Ward
Price: ¥3,000–¥6,000
Specializes in premium wagyu beef BBQ in a halal-certified and alcohol-free kitchen environment. The tender, marbled wagyu is an experience that is hard to match anywhere else in the world. Great for families and groups looking for an unforgettable meal.
Sushi Ken — Asakusa
Location: Asakusa, near Senso-ji Temple
Price: ¥2,000–¥4,000
A halal-certified sushi restaurant in the heart of Asakusa, just steps from Tokyo's most famous temple. Offers fresh nigiri and rolls made with halal-certified ingredients and no alcohol in the rice vinegar or seasonings. A rare find — traditional Japanese sushi done properly for Muslim travelers.
Middle Eastern & International Halal
Falafel Bros — Roppongi & Shibuya
Location: Roppongi / Shibuya Parco 7F
Price: ¥1,000–¥1,800
Fresh, crispy falafel wraps with vibrant salads and homemade sauces. A great quick-lunch option after sightseeing in Roppongi or Shibuya. Known for their commitment to halal ingredients and fresh preparation. The Shibuya Parco branch is especially convenient for shoppers.
Zenobia — Hiroo
Location: Hiroo, Minato Ward
Price: ¥1,500–¥3,000
A cozy underground Middle Eastern restaurant with an authentic Syrian and Levantine menu. Think beautifully spiced shawarma, hummus, tabbouleh, and warm flatbreads — all prepared with halal ingredients. The lunch Arabian Plate is excellent value. A quiet, relaxed atmosphere perfect for a long, unhurried meal.
Cinta Jawa Café — Shibuya
Location: 4F Above Shogun Burger, Shibuya
Price: ¥1,000–¥2,000
A relaxed Indonesian café hidden on the fourth floor in Shibuya, popular with the Indonesian expat community. Serves nasi goreng (fried rice), satay, and rendang in a warm, home-style atmosphere. A perfect break from Japanese food if you are craving something familiar.
Hisar Turkish Restaurant — Okubo
Location: Okubo, near Shin-Okubo Station
Price: ¥1,200–¥2,500
A Turkish restaurant in the heart of Okubo offering a full menu of kebabs, grilled meats, mezze, and traditional Turkish drinks. The sit-down dining experience makes it a notch above the many kebab stands in the area. Warm, welcoming staff and generous portions.
Halal Tempura
Ginza Itsuki — Ginza
Location: Ginza Inz 2F, near Yurakucho Station
Price: ¥1,000–¥2,500
Lunch: 11 AM–3:30 PM | Dinner: 5:30–11:15 PM
Specializes in tendon — a classic Japanese bowl of steamed rice topped with freshly fried tempura. The entire menu is halal-certified, and the crunchy, delicate tempura is a must-try Japanese experience. Affordable and highly rated, making it one of the most accessible ways to eat authentic Japanese food as a Muslim visitor.
Important Note: Restaurant details — including hours, menus, and certification status — can change. Always verify on the restaurant's official website or call ahead before visiting, especially for certification status.
Halal-Friendly Japanese Foods to Try
Not all Japanese food is off-limits. Several traditional dishes are easier for Muslim travelers to enjoy, especially with a little care in asking the right questions.
Generally Safe to Eat
Tempura is one of the safest bets — battered and fried vegetables or seafood, usually cooked without pork or alcohol. Soba noodles (made from buckwheat) are safe on their own, though the broth and dipping sauce need to be confirmed.
Seafood dishes are naturally halal as long as they are not marinated or cooked with mirin or sake. Rice dishes like onigiri (rice balls) with simple fish or vegetable fillings are widely available at convenience stores.
Try These With Certification
Ramen — the classic Japanese noodle dish — is completely enjoyable at halal-certified restaurants where chicken broth replaces the traditional pork-bone base. Sushi requires certification checks since the rice vinegar can sometimes contain sake, and the fish may be handled alongside non-halal items.
Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) at certified spots is an unforgettable experience — Japan's quality of beef is world-famous. Wagyu beef dishes at halal-certified restaurants offer a genuinely special meal that is worth budgeting for at least once.
Sweet Treats
For dessert, head to Nakahora Farm in Ginza, which sells halal-certified ice cream, yogurt, and pudding. Many mochi (Japanese rice cake) sweets with simple fillings are also generally safe, though it is worth confirming ingredients.
Watch Out For: Mirin (sweet cooking sake), cooking sake, and dashi broth made from pork bones. These are found in many seemingly innocent Japanese dishes — soups, sauces, noodle broths, and glazes. Even a dish advertised as "chicken ramen" may have pork in the broth if it is not certified.
Where to Pray in Tokyo
Finding a place to pray in Tokyo has become significantly easier. Here are the main options available to Muslim travelers in 2026:
Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center — Shibuya
📍 1-19 Oyamacho, Shibuya | Near Yoyogi-Uehara Station (5 min walk)
Japan's largest mosque and a landmark in itself. The stunning Ottoman-style architecture makes it worth visiting even as a sightseeing stop. A welcoming community center with regular prayer times. It is managed by the Turkish government and open to all Muslim visitors. The on-site Tokyo Camii Halal Market sells halal meats and pantry items.
Masjid Darul Arqam — Asakusa
📍 Asakusa, Taito Ward | Near Senso-ji Temple
Known as the Asakusa Mosque, this four-story building serves as both a prayer hall and community center. Established in 1998 by the Islamic Circle of Japan. Conveniently located for travelers exploring Asakusa's temples and halal restaurants.
Hiroo Mosque (Arabic Islamic Institute) — Minato
📍 Minato Ward, Hiroo area
A mosque and Arabic cultural center in one of Tokyo's most international neighborhoods. In addition to prayer facilities, it runs Arabic language and culture programs. Welcoming to all visiting Muslim travelers.
Prayer Rooms Around the City
Beyond dedicated mosques, prayer rooms are now found in many public locations across Tokyo. Both Narita and Haneda international airports have dedicated prayer rooms with qibla markers and wudu (ablution) facilities. Tokyo Station has a prayer space near the North Marunouchi exit.
The Takashimaya department store has a prayer room on its 11th floor. Several shopping malls, including DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba and Shibuya Parco, also have facilities. Major universities like Tokyo University and Waseda University maintain musalla rooms that are generally open to visitors outside of class hours.
Finding Prayer Rooms On the Go: Use the Halal Navi or Muslim Pro apps to locate the nearest prayer space in real time. When no designated room is available, ask any hotel or shopping center staff for a "multi-purpose room" (多目的ルーム, ta-mo-ku-teki ru-mu) — Japanese staff are generally polite and will do their best to help.
Useful Japanese Phrases for Muslim Travelers
Most restaurant staff in tourist areas will understand basic English, but knowing a few Japanese phrases will go a long way — especially in smaller, local eateries. Showing these phrases on your phone screen is completely acceptable in Japan.
Tip: Screenshot or save these phrases on your phone before you travel. Showing the Japanese text directly to restaurant staff is more reliable than trying to pronounce it yourself, and Japanese people genuinely appreciate the effort.
