Halal Japanese Cuisine Becoming More Accessible To Muslim Tourists

Halal cuisine has become a hot topic in Japan—and not just by coincidence. The Japanese government set a target of welcoming 20 million visitors annually by 2020, the year Tokyo hosted the Olympic and Paralympic games. As the economies of Japan’s Asian neighbors continue to grow, travelers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries with large Islamic populations are expected to increase significantly.

Growing Influx of Muslim Tourists

According to Japan National Tourism Organization figures, over 176,000 Malaysians traveled to Japan in 2013, an increase of 65% from the previous year. Additionally, upwards of 136,000 Indonesians, a rise of 27%, made the trip as well. Japan’s relaxation of visa requirements for travelers from Southeast Asia—home to the world’s largest Muslim population in Indonesia—has likely pushed these numbers even higher in recent years.

Combining Halal and Washoku

Muslim travelers to Japan seek to enjoy not only the sights and sounds but also the tastes of the country, particularly washoku, or authentic Japanese cuisine. However, for Muslims adhering to dietary requirements set out under sharia, or Islamic law, Japan can appear as a food desert. Food must be halal, meaning “permissible” in Arabic, and must not contain or come in contact with anything deemed haram, or forbidden. This includes pork and alcohol but also involves specific procedures for slaughtering animals and handling food. These requirements place many of the tastiest washoku dishes off-limits. Consequently, many Muslim visitors leave Japan without ever savoring a single morsel of sushi, a bowl of noodles, or a serving of wagyū beef.

To increase Japan’s appeal in the Islamic world, both government and private efforts are underway to gradually increase the number of halal-friendly Japanese eateries. One organization helping Japan open its arms to Muslims is the Malaysia Halal Corporation, which provides services such as halal certification for restaurants, business seminars, and an online shop where Muslims in Japan can buy halal foods and seasonings.

Halal Marks and Certification

At a recently opened Muslim-friendly yakiniku barbeque restaurant in Tokyo, plates prominently display halal marks. Restaurants, hotels, and food manufacturers are increasingly looking to Malaysia Halal and similar organizations, such as the Japan Halal Association, to get their menus and products approved.

For instance, Hanasaka Jīsan, an izakaya (dining bar) near Tokyo’s Shibuya Station, decided to provide halal menu options several years back upon request from customers seeking to entertain Muslim clients. The establishment turned to Malaysia Halal for certification and now offers a shabu shabu set featuring Japanese beef. Halal wagyū is still a rarity (most halal meat products available in Japan are imported) and the ¥4,000 per person starting price for the set can be costly. Nonetheless, efforts by Hanasaka Jīsan and other establishments are providing increasing opportunities for Muslim travelers to relax and enjoy washoku in authentic Japanese surroundings.

Financial Burdens and Strategic Locations

Eateries deciding to become more Muslim-friendly must consider the extra financial burden, such as certification fees and the cost of specialized utensils and ingredients. Unsurprisingly, many decide not to leap to a fully halal menu. Those that do are often found in areas with higher concentrations of Muslim travelers, such as airports and hotels. Tokyo’s Narita Airport has two shops featuring halal menus, one serving udon noodles and another tempura. In Kyoto, Hotel Granvia, which sits atop Kyoto Station, offers a halal menu at its Japanese restaurant Ukihashi. Similar to many Muslim-friendly establishments, however, it requires reservations several days in advance, presumably to allow time to procure the necessary ingredients. Finding restaurants that can safely serve Muslim customers is expected to gradually become easier as the number of shops grows.

Beyond Dining Out: The Halal Market Expansion

Restaurants are not the only businesses looking to jump on the halal bandwagon. As Japan ages and its domestic market shrinks, food manufacturers are seeking to market their products globally, including to the world’s billion-plus Muslims. Recent news stories have highlighted efforts by rice growers, Japanese seasoning makers, and traditional wagashi confectioners to break into the halal food market, with more entrepreneurs expected to follow suit.

This push towards halal is also providing new domestic business opportunities, with a growing number of online vendors and meat producers now selling domestically produced halal products.

Navigating Halal in Japan

One long-time Muslim resident of Japan notes that there is some leeway in interpreting halal, with the customs and mores of each country affecting the choices travelers make in non-Islamic countries like Japan. For example, there is no real tragedy in trying a dish like sashimi, which typically falls on the friendly side of the halal spectrum, and then discovering that the accompanying soy sauce contains a small quantity of alcohol, as most soy sauces do. As long as a person is careful not to repeat the mistake, no harm is done. But some may consider the risk to be too large; there is comfort in seeing that a dish or product has been approved as halal. Luckily, social media sites like Halal Japan are making it easier for Muslims to choose correctly.

Currently, the scarcity of halal-friendly shops means Muslim visitors to Japan have to do their homework if they want to assure themselves of an approved taste of Japan. But as more restaurants look to be halal certified, it may not be too many more years before grabbing a bite of Muslim-friendly washoku means popping down to the corner shop instead of making a trek across town.

Latest Developments

In recent years, the Japanese government and various organizations have continued to push for more inclusivity in the culinary scene. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, despite being postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw significant efforts to cater to Muslim visitors, with more restaurants and hotels getting halal certifications. This trend is expected to continue as Japan aims to become a more welcoming destination for Muslim travelers.

In conclusion, the growing interest in halal cuisine in Japan is not just a trend but a reflection of the country’s efforts to embrace diversity and cater to an increasingly global audience. With continuous efforts from both the public and private sectors, Japan is steadily becoming a more inclusive destination for Muslim travelers, ensuring they can enjoy the rich culinary heritage of washoku without compromising their dietary requirements.