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Why are foreigners making authentic Indian curry at the Toyohirakyo Onsen, deep in the mountains of Sapporo?
Located deep in the mountains of Sapporo, even further away from Jozankei Onsen, Toyohirakyo Onsen has a reputation for its authentic Indian curry that is so delicious that even though it is a one-day spa facility, it has a reputation for being too delicious. Despite the fact that the hot spring water is free-flowing, there are even people who just eat the curry and leave without taking a bath.
Chicken curry (with one naan), a regular menu item, and haskap lassi made with homemade haskap
Indian curry, a specialty of Toyohirakyo Onsen, is cooked by foreigners who seem to have come to Japan from the South Asian region. Why are there so many foreigners deep in the mountains (excuse me!)? Why are there so many foreigners deep in the mountains? To find out why, we went into Toyohirakyo Onsen!
Curry is made by Nepalese staff!
The spicy aroma wafting through the restaurant is sure to whet your appetite!
125 vans, 126 vans..."
Upon entering the ONSEN Shokudo restaurant at Toyohirakyo Onsen, the call numbers for dishes were announced one after another in Japanese with just a hint of a foreign accent.
Looking at the kitchen where curry is being made, everyone seems to be from abroad!
The staff in charge of curry at the restaurant are all from Nepal.
Mr. Baba, the manager of Toyohirakyo Onsen, who greeted us, told us what was going on.
He told us that Nepalese people have long been in charge of making Toyohirakyo Onsen's famous Indian curry because their work style is more familiar to Japanese workplaces.
Moving from Susukino to deep in the mountains, people and stores alike
Why Nepalese staff in a hot spring facility surrounded by such great nature?
But why Nepalese people here? How long have they been here?
I asked a frank question.
In fact, the president of Toyohirakyo Onsen used to manage an Indian curry restaurant in Susukino with several foreign staff. He later took over management of Toyohirakyo Onsen and decided to close the Susukino restaurant in 1992 when he received approval to serve food at the onsen.
He said, "It would be a pity to send them back to their home country because of the closure of the restaurant, even though they had come to Japan with a visa and had been active. If that's the case, let's all move out of Susukino to Onsen together with our staff and the equipment to make curry!"
From Susukino to the remote and rustic atmosphere of Toyohirakyo Onsen deep in the mountains.
The reason why there is an authentic Indian curry restaurant in Toyohirakyo Onsen is because the president, who cares about his staff, made the wise decision to move the entire staff and contents of the restaurant from Susukino.
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