Kobe Mosque
Mosque Japan's oldest mosque and Hyōgo Muslim center
In Kobe’s Kitano district, Kobe Mosque-one of Japan’s oldest, built in 1935-draws visitors interested in Islamic architecture, the city’s international history and local Muslim community landmarks.
The Kobe Mosque (Kobe Masjid) is a mosque in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and is the country’s oldest purpose-built mosque, completed in 1935.
The building has a prayer hall with a visible dome and minaret and functions as the focal place of worship for Kobe’s Muslim community; it is also visited by people interested in religious architecture. The mosque is compact and urban in scale, located within a built-up district of central Kobe.
Built by Kobe’s Muslim community and completed in 1935, the mosque has served continuous religious use since opening. It has been maintained and repaired as needed by local congregational authorities.
Sited in central Kobe, the mosque lies within the older city districts and is accessible from Kobe’s main transport routes. It is located in Hyōgo Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu.
- Oldest mosque in Japan: Completed in 1935, it is the oldest purpose-built mosque in Japan.
How to Get to Kobe Mosque #
Kobe Mosque (Kitano-cho area) is in central Kobe’s Kitano district. From JR Kobe / Sannomiya station (major regional hub served by JR, Hanshin and Hankyu lines) it’s about a 15-20 minute walk uphill to the Kitano area and the mosque; taxis from Sannomiya take around 5-10 minutes. Local city buses also serve the Kitano district from Sannomiya - check local bus timetables for the exact route.
Tips for Visiting Kobe Mosque #
- Visit outside Friday midday (Jumu'ah) prayer times and on weekday mornings when the mosque is quieter and more likely to welcome non-worship visitors.
- Approach on foot from Motomachi or Sannomiya stations and through the Kitano-cho area to combine the mosque visit with nearby historic streets in central Kobe.
- Always ask permission before photographing people inside or during prayer times and follow any posted visitor guidelines - the mosque is an active place of worship, not a museum.
Best Time to Visit Kobe Mosque #
Visit the mosque on weekday mornings or afternoons for the quietest experience and avoid Friday prayer times when it is busiest.
Weather & Climate near Kobe Mosque #
Kobe Mosque's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1314 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (212 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (154 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (176 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
