Vithalapur: In the dusty industrial hinterland of Vithalapur, a small town 75 kilometers east of Gandhinagar, an unusual cultural transformation is taking place. Hotels with names like Osaka Palace and Mizuki Ryokan are now serving ramen, tempura, and sushi catering specifically to Japanese expatriates who have relocated here to support India’s expanding automotive industry.
The town’s evolution from farmland to an industrial hub has been driven largely by foreign investment, a key element of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s manufacturing push. Honda’s motorcycle plant, operational for nearly a decade, and Suzuki’s eight-year-old electric vehicle facility have drawn Japanese engineers and managers on multi-year assignments, creating a need for accommodations and services that reflect their home culture.
Several hotels along the Ahmedabad–Vithalapur highway have adapted to Japanese tastes. The 110-room AJU Imperial, for instance, offers imported fish for sushi, Toto washlet toilets, and signage in Japanese to create a familiar environment for guests. “We wanted to give people the comfort of place and food so they can focus on work,” said Prakash Yadav, the hotel’s founder and managing director. The hotel hosts around 100 Japanese expatriates at any given time.
Other properties, including Mizuki Ryokan and Midori, are similarly thriving, and the town’s growth has attracted plans from Hyatt to open a 108-room property this year, reflecting the increasing economic influence of Japanese investment in the region.
While these hotels provide familiar comforts, Japanese expatriates face significant cultural challenges. Gujarat’s strong adherence to vegetarianism, rooted in Jain and Hindu traditions, restricts access to meat and seafood. Additionally, the state’s alcohol ban requires foreigners and hotels to secure special government permits, a lengthy process with limited quotas. Until licenses are granted, expatriates often must travel three hours to Ahmedabad to obtain liquor.
Direct investment from Japan in India reached $2.5 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2025, marking a 27% increase from four years earlier. Much of this investment has flowed into the automotive and electronics sectors, highlighting the deepening economic ties between the two nations and the growing importance of Vithalapur as a manufacturing and expatriate hub.
As Vithalapur continues to adapt to its new role, the town stands as a testament to the cultural and economic fusion driven by globalization and foreign investment, providing a home away from home for Japanese professionals in the heart of Gujarat.