Kashiwa

Kashiwa City is "Chiba's bedroom town." Kashiwa is in northwestern Chiba Prefecture. Population is about 430,000. Many Kashiwa residents work in Tokyo. About 30 minutes on Joban Line. For Kashiwa residents, "Kashiwa" is where they sleep. "Tokyo" is where they work. Kashiwa had rapid growth from 1960s-1980s. Housing complexes, condominiums. Many Kashiwa residents are "salarymen." Office workers. Morning, to Tokyo. Evening, to Kashiwa. Same every day. For Kashiwa residents, "cars" are unnecessary. Trains are convenient. No parking. Parking fees are expensive. For Kashiwa residents, no reason to "own a car." Kashiwa has "Kashiwa Reysol." J-League soccer team. For Kashiwa residents, "sports" is soccer. Not car sports. Kashiwa residents support "Kashiwa Reysol." Watch soccer on weekends. But don't watch "car races." Kashiwa has no circuit. Nearest is Tsukuba Circuit (Ibaraki Prefecture, about 40km). For Kashiwa residents, circuit is "close." But don't go. Why? Kashiwa residents are tired. Every day, commute to Tokyo. Weekends, rest at home. For Kashiwa residents, the "active hobby" called motorsport is far. Kashiwa residents live in Chiba's bedroom town. Purpose is to "sleep." Not to "run." For Kashiwa residents, the "running culture" called motorsport doesn't fit.