Showa Retro Charm
and Exceptional Baked Cheese Curry with a Mother’s Touch
A Building That Survived Two Eruptions;
Now a New Community Hub in the Hot Spring Town
As you stroll along the main street of Toyako Onsen, a quaint building with white walls and a triangular roof is bound to catch your eye. This is Parlour Fukuda, a spot that began life over fifty years ago as a coffee shop and, after a long-time closure, was reborn in 2014 as a Western-style eatery.
Retaining the warm atmosphere of the original shop, it’s now open to the community, run by a group of local mothers of small kids. Their baked cheese curry is a much-loved favourite among locals and visitors alike.
Locally Sourced, Comfortingly Familiar –
A Taste That Brings Smiles to All Ages
The café’s signature dish, the baked cheese curry, is a piping hot baked curry with a generous topping of melted cheese. The recipe is said to be based on a secret sauce created by a former hotel head chef.
Another popular dish is the Teriyaki-chicken rice gratin, made with locally raised Date chicken. All ingredients are local and fresh, including seasonal vegetables and Takarada brand rice, and prepared with great attention to detail – chopped finely to make the dishes easy for everyone to enjoy, from young children to the elderly.
It’s food with a homely, comforting “mum’s cooking” feel.
Lakeside Sculptures, a Scenic Walk, and
A Tasty Break!
Café staff recommend a stroll through the Toyako Sculpture Park, where 58 sculptures are dotted around the lake’s edge. It’s a unique experience where nature becomes the backdrop to art.
Cycling around the lake is also a great way to spend time. After taking in the dramatic volcanic landscapes shaped by Mt Usu’s eruptions, head back to Parlour Fukuda for a bite – perhaps their Geo Hot Sandwich, shaped like a scallop in honour of Funka Bay’s seafood.
It’s a delicious way to savour the blessings of the land!
