Experience Report of Tokyo Camii Sunday Market & Guided Tour in Yoyogi-Uehara

Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center, located in Yoyogi-Uehara, is the largest mosque in Japan. It features magnificent Ottoman-style architecture and serves as a hub for promoting Turkish culture through various activities .
Tokyo Camii (Sunday Market & Guided Tour)
On weekends at Tokyo Camii (Yoyogi-Uehara), a free guided tour in Japanese is held from 14:30, open to everyone without reservation (suspended if a holiday falls on Friday) . The tour lasts about 45 to 60 minutes and provides a detailed explanation of the interior, architecture, and the cultural background of Islam .

⸻

🕌 Experience Report
• Guide Atmosphere: When the author visited around 13:50, many people had already gathered in the first-floor hall, waiting for the 14:30 start. About 30 people were waiting in a relaxed manner .
• Tour Content: The tour explains the mosque’s history, Ottoman-style decorations, and religious significance. Architectural highlights include Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns (Kâremkârî) .
• Atmosphere: If you expect a heavy religious solemnity, it might be a bit different. Sometimes the guide leads participants to what seems like a sermon (other gatherings), which can spark further interest after the tour .
• Practical Info: Women need to cover their heads with a scarf, which is available for free at the entrance. Visitors should wear clothing that covers exposed skin as a courtesy in the prayer area .

⸻

🌟 Sunday Market (Halal Food Market) Experience
• Product Range: A wide variety including Turkish jams (pomegranate, fig), baklava, dried fruits, prayer mats, embroidered cushions, and Turkish goods. Prices are reasonable, and it’s fun just to browse .
• Cafe Experience: At "Yunus Emre Cafe," you can enjoy traditional Turkish sweets and dishes like köfte and İskender kebab (weekday availability varies by day) .

⸻

✅ Recommended Route Summary (Just over 1 hour)
1. Arrive around 14:15 and wait for the group in the entrance hall.
2. Join the guided tour at 14:30 and take a full walk inside (about 1 hour).
3. After the tour, freely explore the market on the first floor of the culture center. Check out food and goods.
4. Relax at the cafe and fully enjoy the Turkish atmosphere.

⸻

🎥 Experiences in Shimokitazawa & Shibuya Areas from Trip.com Reviews

Shimokitazawa

Highly rated (4.3/5) as a "hub of youth culture with vintage shops, cafes, and live houses" . Narrow alleys are filled with independent shops, making it fun to explore unique stores.

Shibuya

Features many iconic spots like Shibuya SKY, Shibuya Hikarie, Shibuya STREAM, the scramble crossing, and the loyal dog Hachiko statue. Shopping and gourmet spots like Shibuya Hikarie are also abundant .

⸻

🔍 Summary and Recommended Points

Location Recommended Points
Tokyo Camii Free tours → Experience architectural design & Islamic culture. Enjoy Turkish goods and food at the market.
Shimokitazawa A city walk for enjoying narrow alleys, independent shops, small theaters, and youth culture.
Shibuya A classic sightseeing area with shopping and modern Tokyo vibes.

After a cultural experience in Yoyogi-Uehara on Sunday afternoon, moving on to Shimokitazawa or Shibuya for a city walk offers a well-balanced mix of multicultural, youth culture, and sightseeing.

⸻

🕌 Basic Information
• Location: 1-19 Oyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, about a 5-minute walk from Yoyogi-Uehara Station
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00 (Fridays may open at 14:00)
• Closed: Open year-round except December 30 to January 1; guided tours suspended during this period
• Admission: Free, no reservation needed (individuals and small groups)

⸻

🏛 Architectural and Prayer Hall Features
• Scale: Site approx. 734 ㎡, total floor area approx. 1,477 ㎡, dome height 23.25 m, minaret height 41.48 m
• Style: Designed by Turkish architect Muharrem Hilmi Şenalpe. Follows Ottoman architecture with a six half-dome structure and earthquake-resistant RC construction. Completed in 2000 with a budget of about 150 million yen
• Interior Decoration: Stained glass, geometric patterns, Arabic calligraphy, vivid turquoise blue with gold and white color scheme. The beauty of light and shadow stands out

⸻

🎓 Activities at the Turkish Culture Center
• Lectures, Classes, Events: Introduces Islamic culture, hosts iftar dinners, exhibitions, charity bazaars, weddings, and various events throughout the year
• Educational Venue: Offers children’s classes, Quran classes, and a youth Muslim exchange group "Young Muslim Club," welcoming all nationalities and ages for interaction and learning
• Facility Overview: Basement floor has a hall seating up to 130 people (for lectures and concerts). The 2nd and 3rd floors have classrooms, offices, and reception rooms (Ottoman-style "Diwan"). The 1st floor includes a kitchen for light meals after prayers and Ramadan events

⸻

🕋 Tours and Prayer Information
• Guided Tours: Free Japanese guided tours every Saturday, Sunday, and holidays at 14:30 (about 60–90 minutes, no reservation required)
• Visiting Conditions: No reservation needed for individuals or small groups. Prior notice recommended for groups of 5 or more
• Prayer Participation: Five daily prayers are held. Friday congregational prayer (Jumu’ah) includes the call to prayer at 12:30 and prayer at 13:00. Non-Muslims can observe quietly during prayers

⸻

🌟 Highlights Summary
• Breathtaking ceiling decorations and stained glass in the prayer hall
• Guided tours to learn about the architecture’s history and Turkish culture
• Hands-on experiences through Quran classes and cultural exchange events
• Halal shops, cafes, and book sales—rich opportunities to learn and shop at the "Culture Center"
!