When winter comes in Japan, the snow covers the land, and it is time for us to start planning all the winter activities. Skiing is probably one of the most-awaited Winter activities, and Japan opens up its ski resorts during the winter, giving opportunities for us to enjoy that winter-time activity. Muslim travelers can comfortably enjoy Wintertime activities Japan has to offer now that more and more ski resorts are providing services such as Halal-menus and praying facilities in their resort. Here are 4 Muslim-friendly ski resorts in Japan.
Appi Resort Iwate
Iwate is located in Tohoku is the prefecture at the northeastern part of Honshu island and the resort is located at the latitude of 40 degrees, perfect place for skiing and other wintertime activities. The resort one of the most Muslim-friendly resorts in Japan. Its restaurant serves Muslim-friendly meals, Halal-certified by the Malaysian Halal Corporation (MHC), with a variety of hot-pots, meal-sets, even bento to be eaten while you enjoy your skiing. This resort also provides praying mats and room for group prayers that can be provided upon request. In addition to that, the resort also has a private-bath service, so Muslims can also enjoy hot-spring baths since Muslims can’t go to public baths.You can get to the resort by taking a bus from the Iwate Hanamaki Airport which will take around 1 hour 15 minutes. Read more from Appi resort Iwate Website.
Address : Appi Kogen, Hachimantai City, Iwate, Japan 028-7395
Sahoro Resort Hokkaido
Sahoro Resort, located in Hokkaido, is one of the best places you can spend your winter in Japan in. The place offers various winter activities, and it is also Muslim-friendly. The restaurant in the hotel serves meals that are Halal-certified by the Malaysia Halal Corporation in 2012. The variety of halal food here is also guaranteed with its deliciousness. They provide Qiblah direction to help the Muslim guests to perform their prayer. The journey from The New Chitose Airport to this resort takes 1 hours and 45 minutes by train. You can take the JR Rapid Airport train from the airport for 3 minutes until the Minami Chitose Station, you will next hop on the JR Super Ozora train to Shintoku Station which will take around 1 hour 25 minutes from the Minami Chitose Station, and from the station to the resort is only a 15 minutes bus ride. Read more from Sahoro Resort Hokkaido.
Address : 1-58, karikachikougenn, sintokutyou, kamikawagun, Hokkaido 081-0039
Hotel Mount Racey Yubari
This resort is yet again another one located in Hokkaido. Hotel Mount Racey not only offers skiing experiences during the winter, but it also offers Hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) on spring, Momiji (autumn foliage viewing) on fall, and to also enjoy Yubari Melon on summer. This is one of the Muslim-friendly resorts in Japan as it offers praying rooms to be set up for your group with notification in advance, as well as praying mats and Qiblah indicator available for use upon request. Although they don’t offer halal-certified food, they provide a pictogram at every meal so that you can avoid certain ingredients due to allergy or religious reasons. To get to the resort, you can take a shuttle bus from the New Chitose Airport. Read more from Hotel Mount Racey Yubari Website.
Address : 2-4, Suehiro, Yubari, Hokkaido
Rusutsu Resort Hokkaido
Just like the Sahoro Resort, Rusutsu Resort is also located in Hokkaido. It takes 90 minutes by car to get to this resort from Sapporo, New Chitose Airport. Upon request 2 days in advance, the restaurant in this resort serves a variety of halal meals, made with separately labeled kitchenware to ensure that it follows all the halal guidelines. Praying mats and Qiblah indicators are available to use upon request along with prayer rooms with a request in advance and depending on the availability. Read more from Rusutsu Hotel Website.
Address : 13 Izumikawa, Rusutsu-mura, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1711, Japan