Deep in the mountains of Sapporo, further in than the famous Jozankei Onsen, lies Hoheikyo Onsen. This day-trip hot spring facility has gained a reputation for its incredibly delicious and authentic Indian curry. In fact, it's so good that some people come just for the curry, without even taking a dip in the renowned free-flowing hot spring baths.

The classic "Chicken Curry (with 1 naan)" and a haskap lassi made with homemade haskap berries.

The famous Indian curry at Hoheikyo Onsen is prepared exclusively by foreign chefs who appear to be from South Asia. Why are there so many foreigners in such a remote mountain location (no offense intended!)? To find out, we ventured into Hoheikyo Onsen!

The Curry is Made by Nepalese Staff

A spicy aroma wafts through the restaurant, powerfully whetting the appetite.

"Number 125!" "Number 126!"
Upon entering the "ONSEN Shokudo" (Onsen Cafeteria) at Hoheikyo Onsen, we heard order numbers being called out one after another in Japanese with a slight foreign accent.

Looking into the kitchen where the curry is made, it seems everyone is from abroad.

"All the staff in charge of the curry here now are from Nepal," explained Mr. Baba, the manager of Hoheikyo Onsen, who greeted us.

He told us that the Nepalese staff have been solely responsible for Hoheikyo Onsen's famous Indian curry for many years, as their work ethic fits in well with the Japanese workplace.

From Susukino to the Deep Mountains: A Complete Relocation of People and Restaurant

Why are there Nepalese staff at a hot spring facility surrounded by such vast nature?

But why are there Nepalese people here? And for how long?
We asked these straightforward questions.

It turns out that the president of Hoheikyo Onsen used to run an Indian curry restaurant in Susukino, employing several foreign staff. Later, he took over the management of Hoheikyo Onsen, and when he received a license to serve food at the onsen in 1992, he decided to close the Susukino restaurant.

"It would be a shame to send these staff, who had come to Japan on visas and were working so hard, back to their home countries just because the restaurant was closing. So, why not bring the staff and all the curry-making equipment with us and move everyone from Susukino to the onsen!"

A complete change of scenery from Susukino to the rustic charm of Hoheikyo Onsen deep in the mountains.

The reason Hoheikyo Onsen serves authentic Indian curry is because of the president's compassionate decision to relocate the entire restaurant—its people and its contents—from Susukino.