Camii mosque in Tokyo

Before we left for on the last day, Reza brought my mom and I to the Camii Mosque at Yoyogi Uehara, Tokyo. Here’s one place I’ve been looking forward to visit for the past few trips. So glad to finally strike this off the list.

Located at a quaint street that’s surrounded by modern, low-rise apartments and small offices, the breathtaking mosque at first seemed out of place. The mosque’s been around quite a while, first built by Turkish emigrants in the 1930s and post its destruction, rebuilt later by the Turkish Republic Religious Affairs and Tokyo Mosque Foundation in the 1980s.

The mosque’s really beautiful from a distance, even more close-up. Arguably the mosque with the most intricate details I’ve seen (but then again, I haven’t been to that many mosques overseas).

Carved marble stairs leading up to the mosque.

Marble stairs leading to the wudu’ rooms for men and women.

Beautifully carved wooden door, entrance to the main hall.

There were quite a number of people who dropped by. Among them, friendly Malaysian men armed with DSLRs (they told me they’re working in Japan), Muslim families and curious Japanese, including a lady who was carrying sheets of slides on religion and cultures.

Out of this world chandelier — just take a good look at it! Love the stained glass windows.

I would’ve taken more pictures of the interior, but didn’t want to disrupt the jemaah at the time. Since I’m a lady, I had the chance to go up the narrow spiral staircase and pray at the upper hall, which gives a better view of the mosque.

As we went down the hill and walked back to the train station, I saw a group of Malaysian youths walking past our direction. I knew where they were headed to. I had to smile.

See you again, one day.

Admire the 360° view of the mosque here.