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Japan’s Efforts Toward a More Inclusive Dining Scene

As Japan continues to welcome international travelers, the need for more inclusive dining options is growing. While Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s most iconic tourist destinations, many visitors—including Muslims—still face challenges in finding food that aligns with their dietary needs.

To address these concerns, the Food Diversity Seminar was held at the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, bringing together more than 20 professionals from tourist information centers, hotels, restaurants, and tourism-related organizations in Taito City, Tokyo.

The seminar aimed to educate hospitality and tourism professionals on how to better accommodate diverse food needs, including halal, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Food Diversity in Japan: The Growing Demand for Halal

The seminar featured Nazaya Zulaikha, an Indonesian Muslim influencer and food diversity advocate currently based in Japan from Food Diversity, Inc. With her extensive experience in the tourism industry with the understanding of Japanese culture and global tourism, she provided valuable insights into how halal fits into Japan’s broader food diversity movement, especially Muslim-friendly services.

The seminar focused on four key topics:

1. What is Food Diversity, and Why is Halal Important?

Participants gained a deeper understanding of the different dietary needs of travelers, from halal requirements to vegetarian and vegan preferences, and how businesses can adapt to cater to these needs.

2. Why Are Halal Restaurants in Japan Gaining Popularity?

Nazaya explained the characteristics of restaurants that successfully attract Muslim travelers and shared insights on how businesses can become more halal-friendly without drastically changing their menus.

3. How Do Muslim Travelers Find Halal Food in Japan?

Most Muslim tourists rely on online apps and search platforms, such as Google Maps, Halal Gourmet Japan, and social media, to find halal restaurants. The session emphasized the importance of ensuring accurate and updated online information.

4. Seeing Japan from a Muslim Traveler’s Perspective

An interactive discussion allowed participants to experience the challenges Muslim travelers face and brainstorm practical solutions to improve their dining experiences.

Many attendees found the seminar particularly insightful, as it provided them with the rare opportunity to discuss these topics in Japanese with a Muslim expert.

Challenges and Realities in the Industry

During the open discussion session, participants shared real-world challenges in meeting the needs of diverse travelers. Some of the key concerns included:

  • Limited availability of halal options – Many restaurants are unaware of how to offer halal-friendly dishes without overhauling their menus.
  • Lack of staff awareness on halal food – Some Muslim travelers still need to explain halal requirements to restaurant staff, leading to misunderstandings.
  • Gaps in information at tourist centers – Even though Muslim travelers research online before visiting Japan, they often double-check at tourist information centers, where staff may not always have updated details on halal-friendly options.

As a solution, participants suggested stronger collaboration among restaurants, hotels, and tourism offices to ensure better information-sharing and staff training.

The Future of Inclusive Dining in Japan

The seminar highlighted the increasing demand for halal food and inclusive dining experiences in Japan. Moving forward, businesses and tourism professionals need to:

  • Enhance collaboration between restaurants, hotels, and travel agencies to create a more structured information network.
  • Train frontline staff to understand food diversity and provide accurate recommendations to Muslim travelers.
  • Strengthen online presence by ensuring halal-friendly restaurants and hotels are easily searchable on travel platforms.
  • Host more industry seminars to share insights and promote a deeper understanding of Japan’s diverse visitors.

 

With Japan’s growing awareness of food diversity, the country is well on its way to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming destination for all travelers.