Kobe Muslim Mosque is a historic Islamic place of worship in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Built in 1935 by the city’s Muslim community, it is recognized as Japan’s first mosque and remains an important symbol of Kobe’s long-standing international character.
The mosque’s distinctive architecture features a central dome crowned with a crescent moon and four slender minarets rising above the surrounding buildings. Its traditional Islamic design adds a distinctive element to Kobe’s cityscape and reflects the cultural diversity that has shaped the port city.
Remarkably, the mosque survived both the devastating air raids on Kobe during World War II and the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. Despite these major disasters, it continues to stand and serve its religious community. Diplomats, businesspeople, local residents, and international visitors have all been among those who come here for prayer and reflection.
Non-Muslim visitors may also be able to enter the mosque and observe its interior, subject to the mosque’s visitor guidelines and arrangements. The first-floor prayer hall is used by men, while the second-floor prayer hall is designated for women.
Groups planning to visit should contact the mosque in advance. Visitors are expected to dress modestly, and clothing that exposes a significant amount of skin, such as shorts or miniskirts, is not permitted. As the mosque is an active place of worship, visitors should respect prayer times, follow staff instructions, and behave quietly inside.
An Islamic cultural center is located next to the mosque. It holds educational sessions that are open to non-Muslims as well as Muslims, offering opportunities to learn about the basic beliefs, practices, and traditions of Islam.
The center provides a useful opportunity for visitors who wish to deepen their understanding of Islam and the Muslim community in Japan. Together, the mosque and cultural center contribute to intercultural understanding in Kobe’s diverse international community.
Plans to build a mosque in Japan were initially proposed in Tokyo, but those efforts did not come to fruition. The project later took shape in Kobe, where the Muslim population had grown during and after World War I. The city’s position as an international trading port made it home to merchants and residents from various parts of the world, including Muslim communities seeking a place for collective worship.
The project gained momentum following the arrival of Indian traders in Japan. Funding came from donations by Indian residents and members of the Kobe Turkish-Tatar Association, among others. These contributions reflected the cooperation of different Muslim communities in bringing the project to life.
Among the principal financial supporters was Ferozuddin, who reportedly contributed more than half of the required funding. The Ahmed Abdul Karim Brothers firm also made a substantial donation. Additional support came from Tatars living in Korea at the time, the Egyptian consul in Kobe, Syrian merchants, and staff members of the Egyptian consulate.
The mosque was designed as a reinforced-concrete structure. Its foundation-laying ceremony took place in 1934, and news of the construction of Japan’s first mosque attracted attention overseas.
The mosque was completed in 1935, when its dedication ceremony was held. Muslims from countries including India, Russia, Germany, and China gathered for the occasion, and the first Friday congregational prayer was conducted there.
The mosque’s administration identified its tradition as Sunni Islam following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. Its directors and auditors were selected mainly from the Indian and Tatar communities. Celebrations were also held nearby, where attendees offered speeches and messages of congratulations on the opening of this important religious institution.
During World War II, the mosque was temporarily requisitioned by the Japanese Navy. It later endured the extensive air raids that devastated Kobe, yet the building survived. In 1995, it also withstood the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which caused severe destruction across the region.
Its continued presence is a testament to the resilience of Kobe’s Muslim community and the city’s multicultural heritage. Today, Kobe Muslim Mosque remains both an active place of worship and a significant historical landmark, offering insight into the development of Islam in Japan and the international connections that have long defined Kobe.
Kobe Muslim Mosque is located at 2-25-14 Nakayamatedori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. It is approximately a 15-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, making it convenient to visit while exploring central Kobe and the nearby Kitano district.
15 minutes on foot from Sannomiya Station