Jawaad Mahmood in Tokyo

Commonly referred to as “Koreantown”, Okubo is filled with foreigners and (coincidentally, no doubt) among the most dangerous parts of Tokyo. Still, you needn’t worry – it is still probably safer than the safest parts of my home town (Montreal).

It is probably best to go to Shin-Okubo station on the Yamanote line, and walk out the only exit. Turn left and right immediately; the street between the pharmacy and the pachinko parlour contains more than 5 halal stores, and Tokyo’s only halal Thai restaurant (that I know of). There are also a few Indian restaurants, but it is always best to make sure that they are halal. (There are a lot of Bengalis that own these restaurants, but most of them don’t supply halal meat.)

This site is my attempt to help people understand the Muslim community in Tokyo.

I’m a 29 year old Canadian who came here to work in IT. I’ve seen first-hand the problems that face Muslims here – be it finding food, meeting each other, and the ever-embarassing “finding a wife/husband”. Hopefully this space will give everyone an uncensored Maulwi-free zone where I can share some information (and my own pitiful insights) about living here.

By way of warning, this is a labels-free zone – you don’t have to be a Muslim or Japanese or anything to participate. However, disrespect of other users will not be tolerated. This includes referring to another user as a sinner, etc.. You have enough blogs where you can do that, leave mine alone.

‘Salaam

- Jawaad Mahmood