Ichikawa

Ichikawa City is "Chiba's shadow." Ichikawa is at Chiba Prefecture's western edge. Adjacent to Tokyo. Ichikawa's population is about 490,000. Chiba Prefecture's 5th most populous city. But Ichikawa residents only have the identity of "next to Tokyo." Many Ichikawa residents work in Tokyo. About 20 minutes by train. For Ichikawa residents, "Ichikawa" is where they sleep. "Tokyo" is where they work. When asked "what does Ichikawa have?" Ichikawa residents can't answer. Local specialties? Famous tourist spots? Ichikawa residents don't know. Ichikawa is a "city with nothing." But a "city close to Tokyo." For Ichikawa residents, that's enough. For Ichikawa residents, "cars" are unnecessary. Trains are convenient. No parking. Parking fees are expensive (over 30,000 yen per month). For Ichikawa residents, no reason to "own a car." Ichikawa has no circuit. Nearest is Tsukuba Circuit (Ibaraki Prefecture, about 60km). But Ichikawa residents don't go. Weekends they go play in Tokyo. For Ichikawa residents, "Tokyo" is everything. "Ichikawa" is nothing. Ichikawa residents live in Chiba Prefecture's 5th most populous city, yet have no attachment to "Ichikawa." Ichikawa residents' identity is "people living next to Tokyo." For Ichikawa residents, cultivating the "local culture" called motorsport is impossible. Because Ichikawa residents have no "hometown."