✨ A Halal Traveler’s Guide: 2025 Osaka & Kobe Winter Illuminations
To all Muslim travelers planning a trip to the Kansai region this winter: check out the perfect trip combining beautiful, glowing illuminations with reliable prayer spaces and delicious Halal restaurants.
Here are four must-visit illumination spots and the surrounding Muslim-friendly facilities.
💡 Midosuji Illumination
The Avenue of Light on Osaka’s Main Street
The entire 4 km stretch of ginkgo trees from Yodoyabashi to Namba is colored with various lights, creating a street of brilliance perfect for a stroll.
Midosuji Avenue (Approx. Yodoyabashi to Namba Area)
Duration: Nov 3 – Dec 31, 2025
Halal Restaurant & Prayer Space
- Muslim Tourist Information Centre: Provides travel information (Halal restaurants, itineraries, etc.), a prayer room, and houses the Muslim-friendly souvenir shop JAPANeid (approx. 5–15 min walk from Shinsaibashi area).
- Halal Gourmet 1: ALI’S KITCHEN (Pakistani/Arab Cuisine, Halal Certified, approx. 2 min walk from Shinsaibashi Station). This is an authentic Pakistani restaurant that has been featured in the Michelin Guide.
- Halal Gourmet 1: Osaka Buyuden Higashi-Umeda (Halal Compliant Ramen, approx. 1 min walk from Higashi-Umeda Station).Offers highly-rated, rich ramen featuring spicy options and seared Wagyu beef. Musalla available.
🌟 Namba CITY / Namba PARKS
The Corridor of Light in the Namba Area
This is an urban illumination directly connected to shopping facilities. The entire complex is decorated with lights, allowing visitors to enjoy shopping simultaneously.
5-1-60 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Duration: Nov 7, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
Halal Restaurant & Prayer Space
- Prayer Space: Namba CITY Prayer Room (Inside/Directly connected to the facility).Reception is required at the Information Center on B2F.
- Halal Gourmet: CHIBO Diversity Dotonbori Branch (Okonomiyaki/Halal Friendly, with prayer room, approx. 10–15 min walk). You can enjoy “Okonomiyaki,” Japan’s soul food, prepared Halal-friendly.
🐋 Kaiyukan Aquarium / Tempozan Marketplace
Sea Creatures of Light in the Tempozan Area
Featuring dynamic and powerful light objects modeled after marine life, such as the Kaiyukan’s exterior wall and giant whales. You can also enjoy the bay area scenery.
1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato Ward, Osaka
Duration: Nov 14, 2025 – Mar 1, 2026
Halal Restaurant & Prayer Space
- Prayer Space: Tempozan Marketplace Prayer Room Reception is required at the Information Desk on the 2nd floor of the Kaiyukan Entrance Building.
- Halal Gourmet: Istanbul Table (Halal Restaurant, Inside the facility). You can enjoy authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, such as Turkish food, without needing to travel far.
🕯️ Kobe Luminarie
Kobe’s Solemn Art of Light
Characterized by a solemn corridor of lights (Galleria) and domes, known as “Sculpture of Light” in Italian, dedicated to remembrance and recovery following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Donations are being solicited on-site to ensure the continuation of the KOBE Luminarie.
Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo (Location varies, typically near Motomachi/Sannomiya Stations)
Duration: Jan 30 – Feb 8, 2026
Halal Restaurant & Prayer Space
- Prayer Space: Kobe Muslim Mosque (approx. 15 min walk).
- Halal Gourmet: Naan Inn (Indian Cuisine/Halal Friendly, approx. 1 min walk from the Mosque).
🌟 Must-Visit Spot: Muslim Tourist Information Centre / JAPANeid
Be sure to visit during your trip to Kansai!
The MTIC provides valuable resources such as Halal restaurant information and Muslim-friendly travel guides. JAPANeid is a Muslim-focused shop that stocks a variety of Halal-certified sweets and Muslim-friendly Japanese souvenirs.
Facilities: Gender-separated prayer rooms available (with Wudu and Qibla).
Services: Multilingual support, free foot massage chairs, and free Wi-Fi.
Location: 9F, 1-chōme-11-1 Minamihorie, Nishi Ward, Osaka, 550-0015 Google Map
Take a comfortable break and find the perfect souvenir to remember your trip!
