Musjid and churches for regular services around OSAKA

photo by ume-y

The three great religions of the world refer to Christianism, Islam and Buddhism. For the Japanese, Buddhism and Shinto are the most familiar religions. There are many Japanese people who have faith in Christianism, but the number of Muslim Japanese is rather limited. Normally, the number of religious facilities other than Buddhism and Shinto is not so large compared to Buddhism temples and Shinto shrines. However, in recent Japan, the number of migrants is increasing as well as the number of Christians and Muslims who wish to attend regular prayers in Japan. This column will introduce masjids and churches around Osaka area.

Osaka Masjid

Located in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka Masjid is in a four-story building within a residential section. The surrounding area is a small Islamic community with Halal food restaurants and grocery shops. Since many Pakistani residents live in this area, the majority of people visiting this masjid are Pakistani. Daily prayers are held in a large room on 3rd floor, and there is a watering place for wudu prior to prayer. Also, they run Arabic language lessons for children on Sundays.

Osaka Masjid
Address: 4-12-16 Owada, Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka
TEL: 06-6829-6562

Kobe Muslim Mosque

Kobe has been developed as Japan’s oldest international trade port since over 1000 years ago. The city has absorbed various foreign cultures before any other cities in Japan, and has become very unique city with mixed cultures. Kobe Muslim Mosque is the first Islamic Mosque built in Japan. This mosque was built for the purpose of providing a place for prayers and services for Muslims who live in Kobe, along with the increase of Muslim population started in the early 20th century. In addition to daily prayers and Friday prayer, the door is open for anyone who wish to learn Islamic culture.

Kobe Muslim Mosque
Address: 2-25-14 Nakayamatedori, Kobe Shi Chuo-ku, Hyogo-ken
TEL: 078-231-6060

Catholic Osaka Umeda Church

Only a few minutes’ walk away from Nakatsu station of Midosuji Line, a box-shaped modern white building stands. At Catholic Osaka Umeda Church, masses are held in every morning and evening, Monday to Saturday. There are three masses in Sunday morning, and one of them is English mass. Also, there are many other activities here, such as study class of bible and gospels, and Latin and Spanish class, other than masses. A book store is located on 1st floor, selling Catholic-related books.

Catholic Osaka Umeda Church
Address:3-12-8 Toyosaki, Kita Ku, Osaka
TEL: 06-6225-8871

Osaka International Church

As you know, there are many religious sects, and each sect follows different manners and understanding of the bible, while they share the same basics of religion. Osaka International Church is a protestant church, however, they adopt comprehensive doctrine in order to suit all schools of protestant churches. On Sundays and Wednesdays, masses are held in English. Translation machines are available for those who wish to hear Japanese translation.

Osaka International Church
Address: 2-26-47 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka
TEL: 06-6768-4385

The Orthodox Church in Osaka

The Orthodox Church is a counterpart of the Catholic Church formed after the East–West Schism in the early 11th century. In Japan, Christian churches other than the Catholic Church were not transmitted as Christianism was prohibited soon after it was introduced. It was 1872 that a Russian ministry of Orthodox Church started missionary work in Japan. The mission in Osaka area was started from the central Osaka, and The Orthodox Church in Osaka was built in the current location in 1962. Everyone is free to enter to pray. Divine Liturgy and All-Night Vigil are held on Sundays and Saturdays respectively, as well as Memorial service twice a month.

The Orthodox Church in Osaka
Address: 1-8-15 Yamatecho, Suita-shi, Osaka
TEL: 06-6388-4512

Summary

There are quite a few Christian/Islamic facilities around Osaka with the door open for people visiting Japan. Each facility runs regular worship services on the same day every week: Friday service at Islamic facilities and Sunday service at Christian churches. Also, there are many pubic facilities such as transportation facilities and shopping complexes that have prayer room. If you have a tight schedule, use one of these payer rooms.