Tokyo Weekender - November 2017

6 SPOTS
FOR HALAL
HUNTERS
WHERE
TO STAY
Three Tohoku hotels offering halal
food and Muslim-friendly facilities
Words by Naomi Schanen
The new Muslim Friendly
Tohoku campaign aims
to help the region become
Japan's most Muslim-friendly
tourist destination
Breathtaking scenery, delicious delicacies,
and colorful culture – Tohoku
has it all. However, as with the rest
of Japan, finding Muslim-friendly
food here can prove difficult. Hoping to offer
Muslim visitors a taste of Japanese cuisine and
culture, the Muslim Friendly Tohoku campaign
is inspiring a growing number of restaurants
and hotels around Tohoku to begin offering
Muslim-friendly food and facilities. We visited
several spots to try out
the eats and offerings
for ourselves, and here
are our top six recommended
places for halal
hunters in Tohoku…
AZUMAYA HONTEN
WANKO SOBA IN
MORIOKA, IWATE
PREFECTURE
Wanko soba is an Iwate
Prefecture delicacy that
works much like an all-you-can-eat game.
Served with various condiments such as tuna
sashimi and nameko mushrooms on the side,
small portions of buckwheat noodles are
poured into your bowl one after another. One
normal portion of soba is equivalent to about
15 small bowls of wanko soba. The bowls you
finish are stacked beside you as a symbol of
your achievements. We took on the challenge
at Azumaya and managed to devour 51 bowls,
beating the men’s average. The restaurant,
unlike traditional wanko soba spots in Iwate,
serves a Muslim-friendly version by substituting
Japanese soup stock with kelp or shiitake
alternatives, and not using mirin (rice wine)
as a condiment. www.wankosoba-azumaya.
co.jp/foreigner/english
AKIU VEGITA KURABU IN SENDAI,
MIYAGI PREFECTURE
Tucked away in the farmland of rural Miyagi
Prefecture, Vegita Kurabu is run by a handful
of passionate farmers who want to bring to
light the importance of vegetables. They grow
a wide array of fresh produce in their greenhouses
and fields, and
in addition to selling
their vegetables to local
stores, the group invites
people to enjoy their
natural bentos amidst
the lush greenery of
their farm. As they use
halal soy sauce and vegetable
soup stock, the
multi-colored, healthy
meals are not only
perfect for vegetarians
and vegans, but also for Muslims who want to
experience the Japanese countryside. 58 Akiu-Machi
Babaji Takihara, Taihaku-ku, Sendai,
Miyagi Prefecture. Tel: 022-399-5020.
YAHATAYA IN ISHINOMAKI,
MIYAGI PREFECTURE
Yahataya restaurant is a hidden gem in the
quaint streets of the seaside city of Ishinomaki.
In 2011, the port city was badly affected by
the Tohoku earthquake, and the restaurant
was destroyed. However, since reopening in
2012, it strives to use the freshest local produce
and seafood to showcase the beauty of
Miyagi cuisine. We were spoiled with oyster
tempura, sashimi, as well as local delicacies
– deep-fried gluten (aburafu) and sweet edamame
paste mochi (zunda mochi) – all made
in a halal manner. Home to some of the best
seafood in Japan, Ishinomaki is the perfect
place to indulge in Muslim-friendly local dishes
while supporting the once disaster-struck
harbor city. If you’ve got some spare time,
hop on a ferry to Tashirojima, another one of
Japan’s “cat islands.” www.i-yahataya.com
HOTEL METROPOLITAN SENDAI
IN MIYAGI PREFECTURE
This stylish hotel is a great place to stay
when exploring Miyagi Prefecture’s
capital city. The hotel's Hayase restaurant
provides halal breakfast, lunch
and dinner. Believing that Japanese
food is a huge part of its culture, the
chef told Weekender that he incorporates
local delicacies to let Muslims
experience true Japanese cuisine.
www.sendaimetropolitan.jp
APPI RESORT IN AKIMANTAI,
IWATE PREFECTURE
Located in the central city of Akimantai,
this family-friendly resort allows
for easy access to Iwate, Akita and
Aomori prefectures. Whether it’s
glamping and fishing in summer, or
snowboarding in winter, there’s something
for everyone at APPI Resort. For
Muslim visitors, a wide variety of halal
meals and bentos, private hot spring
baths, and prayer spaces are available.
www.appi.co.jp
UJO NO YADO SHINTSUTA,
FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE
Unwind in the southern coastal region
of Fukushima Prefecture at Ujo no
Yado Shintsuta ryokan. Savor delicious
dishes featuring local seafood and
ingredients at Tohoku’s first halal
restaurant, where Muslim guests can
enjoy Japanese dishes worry-free.
A prayer room is also provided. The
hotel, located in Yumoto Onsenkyo, a
hot spring town, has private garden hot
spring baths. www.shintsuta.com
Check out the Muslim Friendly Tohoku tours:
www.japanican.com/en/area/tohoku
TOKYO WEEKENDER | NOVEMBER 2017 | 47