Visit Hakodate in Hokkaido! Prayer Space Set Up at Hakodate University Bay Area Satellite

Prayer Space Set Up at Hakodate University Bay Area Satellite

The sophisticated port city in Hokkaido, Hakodate, is located in the south end of Hokkaido. As a port city that touched directly with international traders, Hakodate has stunning buildings with touch of international cultures.

Since the opening of the port, Hakodate has experienced influence from overseas as well as tolerance to religions.

Then, on August 4, Hakodate University had set up a prayer space for Muslims on its educational facility, Hakodate University Bay Area Satellite, as one of omotenashi to Muslim travelers.

Prayer space is available on the 1st floor of the building, with separate prayer space for man and woman.

This prayer space is completely facilitated with sajadah (prayer mat) as well as qiblat mark. Both in 4 square meter, quite spacious to do pray for 2 people at the same time.

Furthermore, they have wudu’ space separated between man and woman too! At wudu’ space for man, it’s available shower and place to wash feet.

Wudu’ space for woman has curtain to let Muslimah to have wudu’ privately．

This prayer space can be used freely on Saturday and Sunday (except National Holiday) from 10:00 to 17:00.

Hakodate University Bay Area Satellite also operates as a Tourist Information Center, so you can get informative pamphlets there!

Access

2 min walk from Suehirocho station
7 min walk from Juujigai station
7 min walk from Oomachi station

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Nearby

Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples

This museum that is located just 3 min walk away from Hakodate University Bay Area Satellite, displays ethnic materials of northern area people such as the Ainu.

Besides knowing more about the Ainu, you can experience and have contact with Ainu’s culture, such as making and performing Mukkuri (bamboo jews harps, Ainu’s traditional musical instrument) and Ainu’s traditional paper cutting art.

Mukkuri, Ainu’s traditional musical instrument

※　Mukkuri making and performance
Admission fee 500 yen (separate with museum entrance fee and need reservation at least 1 week before)

※ Paper cutting art
No admission fee

More about Hakodate City Museum of Northern People here (in Japanese)

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is the first commercial warehouse in Hakodate, has witnessed the contact of Hakodate with countless of people and cultures, as well as the history of the city since opening of the port. Now it is known as one popular sightseeing spot in Hakodate where you can dine and shop.

Don’t forget to get Kanemori Red Brick limited product there!

More about Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse here (in English)

Hakodate Kaisen Ichiba (seafood market)

Located nearby Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, Hakodate Kaisen Ichiba is a market full with fresh seafood and products from Hakodate.

More about Hakodate Kaisen Ichiba here (in Japanese)

Hakodate Meijikan

This building was used as post office in 1911 and now turned into a lovely shopping mall filled with café, stunning glassworks shop, music box shop, etc.

If you are a teddy bear lover, you can visit Teddy Bear Museum on the 2nd floor of the building with admission fee 300 yen for adult (junior high school above), 150 yen for kids (elementary school), and free for infant.