Identification of Historical Mosque as Tourism Destination: comparison between Menara Kudus and Demak Great Mosque in Indonesia and Kobe Muslim and Tokyo Camii in Japan

Abstract

The paper explores the identification and management of historical mosques as tourism destinations, comparing the cases of Indonesia and Japan. It examines different management patterns and strategies for developing historical mosques as heritage tourism products, emphasizing the preservation of authenticity and cultural elements. The study employed a qualitative descriptive method to examine the tourism activities of historical mosques in Japan and Indonesia. The data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and open-ended questionnaires. There were 50 respondents from Indonesia’s mosque and 30 respondents from Japan’s mosque. The interviews and open questionnaires were carried out face to face using Indonesian for Indonesia and for Japan using English and Japanese translator assistance. The study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural attractions, festivals, and halal markets to enhance the tourist experience. It also discusses the positive impact of visiting historical mosques on changing perceptions and promoting understanding of Islamic culture. However, the paper has limitations, such as a lack of comprehensive analysis of the economic impact and limited geographic scope.