Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: A new prayer space has been added to the Tokyo Skytree in order to accommodate worshippers to the iconic landmark in the Japanese capital.

The facility was added by the tower’s operator at the request of foreign tourists. It is located on the first floor of the 634-meter tower and offers separate areas for men and women.

Three prayer rugs are available in each room and the ceiling features a Qibla compass that indicates the direction of the Islamic holy city of Mecca.

The Skytree was completed in 2012 and has been inundated with inquiries from prospective visitors who wanted to check if there was a place to worship in the facility.

The tower’s operating 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.

At the entrance, visitors can disinfect their hands and wash their feet. Slippers are freely available and the space is always available during opening hours.

“We distribute Arabic language pamphlets to our visitors and hope that Muslims and Arabs will visit this landmark,” Takehirio Suzuki, Skytree PR Manager told Arab News Japan. “Although we are currently under the influence of the coronavirus pandemic, we think this will lead to the promotion of more visitors from both home and abroad.”

‘Evangelion in Tokyo Skytree’ event, started Dec. 23, 2020 and will continue till May 31 this year.