When you say Narita, many people probably think of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, but it is not the only thing to see. In Narita, there are many people who provide hospitality to visitors, and I would like you to know about them. Here, we will introduce them to you as “People of Narita”!
Our guest this time is Tomomi Ishikawa, President and Representative Director of Ishikawa Automobile Industries. She has carried on the legacy of an auto repair shop specializing in large vehicles and special-purpose vehicles — a business that grew alongside the construction of Narita Airport — servicing everything from buses and trucks to fire engines and ambulances, quietly keeping the region's infrastructure running.
We spoke with her about her vision for Narita's future and the city she loves, as she continues to expand the workshop she inherited from the previous generation.
— Could you tell us about the work you're currently doing in Narita? —
Ishikawa Automobile Industries has operated as an auto repair shop specializing in large vehicles and special-purpose vehicles since its founding. I see us as part of the local infrastructure — playing a role in keeping people safe and secure. And it's not just ordinary buses and trucks; we also handle public-sector vehicles like fire engines and ambulances. I hope we can be a behind-the-scenes support for everyone, and I'd be glad if that counts as one of the forces keeping Narita going.
— I understand the company has grown alongside the construction of Narita Airport. Could you tell us about how it was founded? —
The founding actually traces back to when construction of the airport began. Trucks from all over Japan — from Kyushu to Aomori — converged on the area, and our family's land, which had been in the family for generations, ended up being provided as a replacement site, which is part of how the business grew.
Around that time, my grandfather suggested to my father — who was then working as a diesel engine designer and is now our chairman — "You have your mechanic's license, don't you? Why not just build your own workshop?" That's how it all started. It wasn't something my father set out to do himself (laughs). The attitude was more like, "Just go for it!"
But once my father starts something, he sees it through completely. During the day, the vehicles were in use for construction, and at night, while they were resting, he'd repair them — essentially running a 24-hour operation. That's how the foundation of Ishikawa Automobile Industries was built. We didn't specifically set out to specialize in large vehicles, but because we built the workshop with an especially high ceiling — something rare in the area at the time — large vehicles naturally started coming to us.
— Do you have any favorite spots around the Narita Airport area? —
I truly love the countryside scenery. When I was a student, the whole route to school ran along a river lined with rice paddies, and I loved walking to school watching the summer breeze ripple through the lush green rice plants.
Those fields are gone now, but there are still paddies behind our workshop. These days, my daily routine is walking my dog past the young green stalks, watching the wind move through them and thinking back to those childhood scenes. It's my favorite time of day — so calming and peaceful.
— Looking ahead to Narita's future, how would you like to be involved going forward? —
I feel we really need to keep pushing forward on making Narita a place that's easy to work in and easy to live in. That means attracting businesses the city needs and creating jobs. As the population grows, the local government will also be able to provide more public support.
With that in mind, we're currently building our third workshop. We've also expanded our main office, and we're working to create jobs and develop talent so that skilled professionals choose to put down roots in Narita. That's one way I hope we can be a strength for this city.
— Finally, do you have a message for our readers? —
Narita is a city where history and culture coexist with an international character and the warmth of old-fashioned community spirit — and I think that's what makes it so special.
To truly feel that charm, I'd love for people to venture beyond the airport and into the city itself. Walk along the approach to Naritasan, try the local eel — Narita is famous for it. And when it comes to being international, so many Western visitors have been coming here for so long that, honestly, I think English gets you further here than in central Tokyo. It's a city that's very easy for international visitors to enjoy, so please do explore the shops along the approach.
And if you ever get the chance, I'd love for you to come and see the Narita Gion Festival — or even join in if you can!
