The presence of the area around JR Enmachi Station (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City) as a ''curry town'' is growing stronger year by year. Nine years ago, there were four curry restaurants in the neighborhood, but now there are 11. Two stores will open in 2024. As the number of curry restaurants increases, a virtuous cycle is emerging in which the centripetal force increases.

Butter chicken curry ramen from Earth Cafe Enmachi store (provided by the store)

According to Hiroshi Hayashi (39 years old), who is the organizer of the Enmachi Curry Festival from April 12th to May 6th, 2024, and who runs the soup curry restaurant "Karaya Hiroshi," in 2015 when the restaurant opened, Including this store, there were four curry specialty stores. New stores have been opening slowly, and by this spring there were 11 stores.

Earth Cafe Enmachi store opened in January (Nishinokyo Enmachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City)

The Enmachi area is home to Hanazono University and several high schools, so there are many young people who like curry. In recent years, condominiums have been built one after another, and the number of families is increasing. The fact that rents are relatively low compared to downtown areas also appears to be encouraging business openings.

Butter chicken curry ramen from Earth Cafe Enmachi store (provided by the store)

Commenting on the increasingly popular situation, Hiroshi Hayashi said, ''If you go to Enmachi, people will think that they can eat some delicious curry.Even if the restaurant you're looking for is closed or there's a long line, you can still go to another delicious restaurant. It would be great if it became like ''Ichijoji, Sakyo Ward,'' a ramen town, where people say, ''If you want to eat curry, go to Enmachi.''