A shop near Kansai International Airport is offering halal-certified bento (boxed meals) in a bid to serve the growing numbers of Muslim tourists.
Mabruk — which means "blessing" in Arabic — is located near the entrance of Rinku Town Station in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, just one stop on the train from western Japan's biggest international airport.
"We got the hint after hearing Muslims' remarks about wanting to be able to enjoy Japanese cuisine in a bento box while viewing cherry blossoms," said Huh Kyoyoun, 45, president of Grande Limite Co., a tourism consultancy involved in running the shop.