Inside SAI’s ‘Little Japan’ (TOI Photo) BENGALURU: Shipping containers with exteriors painted with cherry blossoms and chochins — traditional Japanese lanterns -- hung on the sides have been transformed into two-bedroom accommodation. Inside are modern amenities, an LED screen displaying information about the Asian Games and Japanese books such as Ikigai and Kaizen.

The menu features ramen, an assortment of sushi, tempura and yakitori. This could easily be Japan.

It isn’t, yet. It is the Sports Authority of India (SAI) South Centre in Bengaluru.

To help Asian Games-bound athletes acclimatise to the culture, living conditions, and food they will encounter in Japan, SAI has created a slice of the country at its South Centre and the facility in Patiala. Athletes from several disciplines have already utilised the facilities, with team-sport athletes expected to be accommodated in the containers.

“We planned to do this in January, but due to various factors, we could not get them ready. Each container can accommodate four athletes and was completed in 45 days.

Besides overnight stays, the facility has also been used during the day by track and field athletes and the women’s hockey team. And this is not a temporary arrangement.

“Our athletes spend a lot of time away from home and often more than two family members visit them for short durations. We will use this facility as a transit accommodation for visiting families of athletes,” Sudhakaran said.

TASTE OF JAPANThe effort to recreate a Japanese experience has extended to the cafeteria. While continental food was introduced last year to help athletes travelling to Europe acclimatise to the cuisine, Japanese dishes were gradually added to the menu from January this year.

“The chefs were then taken through the theoretical process followed by the practical knowledge of it. They were then trained in the preparation of various kinds of ramen, sushi, robatayaki, tempura, etc,” he added.

Soni has been making regular visits to the centre to oversee the process and ensure the cuisine is prepared as intended. For Indian women’s hockey team striker Lalremsiami, the experience has offered athletes more than just a taste of Japan.

“Some of us are used to eating sushi, but for a lot of the athletes it was their first taste of Japanese food. Since we have been experiencing the cuisine for a while now, we know what ingredients go into a particular dish and what to expect on our plate.