Studying in Japan? What You Must Know About Food, Prayer & Ramadan

I often tell students — before going to Japan, everyone worries about tuition fees and part-time jobs. But three months later, when your mom calls and asks, “Are you eating properly?”, many of you go silent.

So today, I want to talk about the things that actually matter — halal food, prayer, and Ramadan. Studying in Japan is not just books and subways; it's a whole life. And to make that life beautiful, you need to understand these three things in advance.

Halal Food: Can You Really Find It in Japan?

Yes, you can — but you have to look a bit. In big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, there are halal restaurants. You'll find good spots in Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Ueno. But in smaller towns, it gets harder.

From my own experience — in the beginning, I survived on vegetables and eggs. Later, I slowly learned which supermarkets sell halal meat. Now you can even order online.

Tips for Finding Halal Food

• Muslim Pro app has a list of halal restaurants and mosques — very useful.
• Mosques in big cities often have halal food shops nearby. For example, around Tokyo Jamé Mosque.
• Check the packaging for the word halal — in Japanese, it's written “ハラル”.
• Whether it's chicken, beef, or lamb, always check the certification on the package.

But be careful — many Japanese restaurants use fish-based soup (dashi) that may contain alcohol. So always ask before eating out.

Prayer: Mosques and Congregation

The number of mosques in Japan is increasing. You'll find them in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, and Nagoya. But in smaller cities, there may be no mosque at all.

When I was in a small town, I prayed at home. For Friday prayers, I would take a train to a bigger city. It's a hassle, but trust me — the feeling of praying in congregation is different.

How to Know Prayer Times?

Just use a phone app. IslamicFinder or Muslim Pro — both give accurate prayer times for any city in Japan. Mosques' websites also have them.

Ramadan: Fasting and Iftar

What is Ramadan like in Japan? If it falls in summer, the days are long — in Tokyo, fasting lasts about 15-16 hours. In winter, it's around 10-11 hours. So it depends on the season.

For iftar, you won't have a big problem — mosques often host iftar gatherings. At Tokyo Jamé Mosque, they provide iftar every day during Ramadan. Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Indonesians — we all break our fast together.

For suhoor, you'll have to cook yourself. I usually cooked at night and reheated it for suhoor. That made it easier.

Balancing Studies, Work, and Ramadan

Honestly, the first year will be a bit tough. Classes, part-time work, and fasting — handling all at once is difficult. So my advice: reduce your part-time hours during Ramadan. Seniors (senpai) will understand without you having to explain much.

Why Japan is Truly a Great Place?

After all this talk, why choose Japan? Because it's a unique blend of safety, culture, and opportunity.

• Safety: Walking alone at midnight is no issue.
• Culture: Every season has its own festival — cherry blossoms in spring, red leaves in autumn.
• Technology: Robots, automation — it feels like the future.
• Work ethic: Hard work is valued here.
• Quality of life: Clean, orderly, and punctual.

And let's talk about cost — living expenses in Japan are around 80,000 to 120,000 yen per month (about 60,000-90,000 BDT). Tokyo is a bit higher, smaller cities lower.

Final Words: Prepare, Then Leap

Going to Japan is a big decision. Don't fear the food, prayer, or Ramadan — with a little planning, everything falls into place. I've seen many students cry in their first year, but later they fall in love with Japan.

If you're seriously thinking about Japan, check our eligibility page. And if you have any questions, talk to us — we're here for you.