Japanese Firm Builds Compact Prayer Room for Muslim Visitors

May 12, 2026

A welfare equipment maker in Okayama has created a wooden plug-and-place prayer unit after a staff member saw a Muslim friend struggle to find anywhere to pray.

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Key Takeaways

OM Kiki Co. in Soja, Okayama began selling its “Prayer Space” unit in December, designed for quick installation at businesses and tourist sites
The wooden room includes a waterproof mat for ritual washing and a ceiling-mounted qibla marker that rotates to face Makkah
A survey of 107 Muslim visitors to Japan found 72% of men and 79% of women treat prayer facility availability as a factor in choosing travel destinations

The product is the work of OM Kiki Co., a welfare and support equipment manufacturer based in Soja, Okayama Prefecture.

The idea came from a personal experience: a staff member took a trip around Okayama with a Muslim friend from Malaysia and watched him struggle to find a clean, private space to pray. That difficulty became the starting point for what would eventually go on sale in December.

What the Unit Looks Like

The Prayer Space is a freestanding wooden structure, 180 centimetres tall with a floor area of 150 centimetres by 150 centimetres. The floor is fitted with a waterproof, easy-to-clean mat — practical for the ritual cleansing of hands, feet, face, and hair that Muslims perform before each prayer.

A qibla marker on the ceiling can be rotated to point toward Makkah, helping users orient themselves correctly without needing a separate compass or app.

Why Prayer Facilities Matter for Muslim Travellers

Muslim travellers are required to pray at set times throughout the day, making access to a clean and private space a genuine practical need rather than a preference.

A survey of 107 Muslims who had visited Japan put numbers to that reality: 72% of male respondents and 79% of female respondents said whether a prayer space is available directly affects where they choose to travel.

The developer behind Prayer Space was direct about the goal. “I hope to increase the number of places where people can pray like they usually do, making it easier for them to travel and creating a more work-friendly environment in local areas, starting with Okayama,” he said.