Japan has recently been making some drastic changes to its tourism model in order to better serve Muslim visitors. One such major upgrade in facilities can be noted at Narita International Airport – the country's primary airport – which now offers a wealth of facilities and services for Muslim passengers. Narita International Airport - also known as Tokyo Narita Airport - is the main airport serving Tokyo and is located at Narita City in Chiba. The airport occupies a vast expanse of land about 50 kilometres away from the city centre and features two terminals that serve both domestic and international flights. In a bid to attract and better serve Muslim passengers, Narita Airport has upgraded its services and facilities such as prayer rooms and Halal food, which is required by Muslim passengers when travelling.
Prayer room facilities at Narita Airport now comprise two silence rooms which can be used by Muslim passengers during prayer times. The prayer rooms can be found in the public area of Terminal 1's 5th floor and on the first floor of Terminal 2's main building. Both rooms are accessible from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and offer a peaceful and quiet atmosphere for prayers. Muslim passengers may also visit the Chiba mosque and Hira mosque which are both located in relatively close proximity to the airport.
Muslim passengers will not face difficulty finding access to Halal food at the airport. Two Halal-certified Halal restaurants - certified by Malaysia Halal Consultation and Training - are available at Narita Airport, serving a wide range of enticing and authentic Japanese cuisine. The two Halal outlets - Kineyamugimaru Restaurant and Agetatenoaji, Tentei - are located on 5th floor of the centre of Terminal 1 and on the 4th floor of Terminal 2 respectively. All dishes served at the restaurant are Halal and have been prepared at special kitchens. Narita Airport also houses the Narita Airport Rest House - a Muslim-friendly hotel which has been awarded a rating of 4 (out of a possible maximum of 7) by CrescentRating based on the facilities and services it offers its Muslim guests. The hotel offers additional prayer facilities and Halal food for guests and is ideal for Muslim travellers looking for a Muslim-friendly hotel in the area.
The airport offers several other facilities for passengers. Numerous duty-free shops and brand boutiques are available at Narita Airport, offering a wealth of shopping opportunities. Other facilities include banking facilities with money exchange options, play areas for children, massage chairs and several other amenities to ensure a comfortable trip.
