Introduction Minokamo Islamic Center

Minokamo, a city in Gifu Prefecture, has one of the highest percentages of foreign residents in Japan. Over the past several decades, it has become home to thousands of migrant workers and their families—particularly from Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other Muslim-majority countries.

Despite a steadily growing Muslim population, Minokamo still does not have a permanent mosque capable of supporting the full range of religious, educational, and social needs of the community. Currently, Friday prayers, Quran classes, Ramadan activities, and Eid celebrations are held in small rented rooms or private homes.

These temporary solutions are neither spacious nor sustainable, and they limit the community’s ability to practice their faith comfortably and safely. A permanent Islamic center is not merely an aspiration—it is a direct response to an urgent community need.

The proposed Minokamo Islamic Center (MIC) will function as: A place of worship with adequate capacity. An educational hub for Quran studies, Islamic learning, and youth programs. A social support center offering guidance and assistance to migrant families. A bridge of cultural understanding, fostering positive interactions with the wider Japanese community.

The project uniquely aims to repurpose an unused pachinko (gambling) building—a structure that already provides ample space, strong foundations, good ventilation, and strategic urban accessibility. Transforming this building into a mosque embodies sustainability, resourcefulness, and hope for a more connected and harmonious community