Muroran Mosque (Hokkaido), joining the list of mosques in Japan

Assalamualaikum w.b.t (Peace be upon you)

First debut
Year 2010 marks a significant year for Muslims in Muroran, a city in the second largest prefecture in Japan. Muroran city was located near Tomakomai city, a city which is famous for it's natural onsen (Japanese style hot-spring) in Japan. Muroran is a port city, both industrial and agricultural purposes. One of the significant symbol in Muroran is the Oohashi bridge (literally translated: Swan Bridge), the largest suspension bridge in eastern Japan. This year, another attraction especially for Muslim who is visiting Hokkaido makes it's first debut. After the Sapporo Mosque and the Otaru Mosque, Muroran is proud to announce the third mosque in Hokkaido, the Muroran Mosque.

The Idea
The Muroran Mosque, is currently under the administration of Muslim in Muroran group, a group consist of students from the Muroran Institute of Technology (室蘭工業大学). As of April 2010, the Muslim community in Muroran has 39 people, mainly students. The mosque can cater up to 40 people in a single congregation. For the time being, only men can use the mosque. The idea to get a mosque was founded from since last year. At that time, we used a kaikan (a gathering hall) at one the student's residents in the vicinity of the university. Since the gathering hall was being used for other functions other than the congregation, we decided to look for another place with sole function as a mosque and a Muslim-only gathering area, the search began at late November 2009. At first, a two-storey house was proposed to be use as a temporary mosque. Since the landlord only rents it for two years contract plus a high rental rate, the search continued. The search ended when one of the student found a vacant shop-house, considered perfect to be the mosque.

Location
The mosque's location is very adjacent to the university, which makes it easier for students to perform the Zohor, Asar and Jumaat(Friday) prayer in congregation. Most of the students can reach the mosque by a 10 minutes walk from their houses at farthest. It also located near to the convenience store (7-Eleven) and Palette, a daily convenience store which caters the needs of the students in Muroran Inst. of Technology. It's also reachable by cars and local buses.

Interior of the mosque (front door)

Interior of the mosque (kitchen area and washroom)

To bear the maintenance cost of the mosque, including rent, water and electricity, a fixed sum of 2000 yen is being collected from each Muslim brothers per month. In addition, the mosque are currently providing Halal food supplied from the main Halal food supplier in Japan, Baticrom store. For each item, an extra of 20 yen will be added to the purchased item and goes directly to the mosque's fund.

Activities
Besides the friday prayer, for the time being, we are doing simple activities, such as the Tadarus (Recitation) of Al-Quran on Saturday, between Maghrib and Isha'. After that, we will hold a feast among Muslim brothers here and sometimes with some of our Japanese friends. Another activity is the Hafazan (Memorizing) of Juz' Amma on Sunday at the same time.

Getting along with the Japanese people while enjoying Egyptian food

Getting there
The mosque is easily reachable by car and local bus. To get here by car (assuming you're from Sapporo), get to the Highway route 36 and follow the sign to Muroran Inst. of Technology. Upon reaching the main gate of the University, drive downhill until you see a convenience store (7-Eleven) at an intersection. Turn left and you'll see a row of shop-houses. The mosque is in the middle. As for parking area, you may park your car at a parking area available just next to the shop-houses. The area is large to accommodate up to 15 cars.

If you're coming by bus (assume from the Higashi Muroran railway station), take a No.77 or 6 green bus (Donan bus) bound for 室工大 (Muroran Inst. of Technology)　and get off at 郵便局前 (in front of the Japan Post Office) bus-stop. From the bus-stop, walk North against the flow of traffic (you should be on the right side of the road). The bus fare would be 240 yen and takes about 20 minutes ride from the Higashi Muroran station.

View 1(Click to enlarge)

View 2 (Click to enlarge)

Address
Any official matters or businesses can be made through the address provided.

(050-0072), Hokkaido, Muroran-shi, Takasago-cho, 5 cho-me, 18-6-1F
（０５０－００７２）北海道、室蘭市、高砂町、５丁目、18-6-1F

We welcome any visit from the Jamaah Tabligh in Japan or any individuals who wish to get more information about Islam and Muslim in Japan.