Photo= Hotel Granvia Kyoto obtains a "Local Halal" certificate

Hotel Granvia Kyoto in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, announced on August 8 that it has been certified as a hotel that offers "Halal," or food that is allowed to eat according to Islamic law, by Malaysia Halal Corporation Co., Ltd., a recognized Halal certification issuer. It is the first hotel in western Japan to be certified in the hope that the number of Muslim visitors will increase with the service being applicable to them.

The hotel's caf restaurant "Le Temps" gained a "Local Halal" certificate under the Halal standard in non-Muslim countries from a company chaired by a representative who is a Halal auditor recognized by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia.

To obtain the certification, the caf got new tableware and cookware for Muslims, who are prohibited from pork and alcohol. Suppliers that offer prayers or cook in a prescribed method were chosen for beef and chicken. The caf had previously offered a Halal menu in response to reservations, but now reservations will no longer be necessary.

Although restaurants can offer services for Muslims without the certificate issued by an external institution, it obtained the confirmation to enhance the sense of security for its customers. Hotel Granvia Kyoto is the sixth hotel after facilities in Hokkaido and Tokyo to obtain a "Local Halal" certificate.

In guest rooms, a traverse table indicating the direction of Mecca and a floor mat are available for use in prayers. The hotel occupancy rate of visitors from Indonesia and Malaysia, which have a high proportion of Muslims, represents about 0.5% of the total, but it is expected to increase in accordance with economic growth.

In Kyoto City, all items at the restaurant "Rose Caf" in Kamigyo Ward are Halal food. Halal menus are available at Minokichi Shinhankyu Hotel and Kyoto Century Hotel, both in Shimogyo Ward, by advance reservation only.