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 Mr. Tatsuya Sato, President of Hitotoshi Co. Mr. Sato runs a restaurant with the unique name "Sheep, Deer, and Sometimes Wild Boar". After working for many years as an Italian chef, he has come to face the future of local food culture and primary industry. We asked him to elaborate on his journey to date and his thoughts on Narita.
ーTell us about your “Sheep, Deer, and Sometimes Wild Boar” restaurant.ー
As the name suggests, this restaurant offers sheep, deer, and wild boar in Genghis Khan (a local specialty made with grilled mutton or lamb) style.
We operate with the desire to revive the culture of Genghis Khan, which is said to have originated in Narita, and to contribute to the earth by providing delicious meat from deer and wild boar that are being exterminated and destroyed because of their overabundance.
ーPlease tell us about your career to date.ー
I am from Narita and graduated from Narita High School. After working at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo for 8 years, I came back to my hometown Narita and ran an Italian restaurant called “Porcellino” for 15 years, and now I have been running this “Sheep, Deer, and Sometimes Wild Boar” for a little over 3 years.
ーWhat made you change your Italian restaurant to your current restaurant?ー
It was when I learned that there was a culture of sheep farming in Narita. When I grew up and came back here, I learned about it and wondered, “Why are there no sheep here now?” I wondered.
My first thought was that if I could raise sheep in Narita and serve the meat at my restaurant, it would be a very interesting story.
I had a sense of crisis that if the primary industry was not healthy, the future of Japan as a whole would be bleak.
When you get right down to it, food and beverage is a business that depends on ingredients. Nowadays, food can be obtained immediately upon ordering, but when you look 10 to 20 years into the future, it is questionable whether this is really sustainable.
That's the main reason we switched, because we thought that we had to do ranching and other activities.
ーDo you have a favorite spot around Narita Airport?ー
I like Sakatagaike Park. It is easy to let children play there. It is nice and relaxing.
I have been going there often since I was a child, and when I came back here and took my children there to play, I felt that it had not changed much. The campgrounds have been cleaned up, but I guess it is a place that has never changed. I thought it was a very nice place to play.
ーWe have also heard about your plan to build a ranch. Can you tell us how you would like to take action for the future of Narita?ー
In Narita, there is a specialty called “eels,” but I have the impression that there are few products that are widely recognized as so-called "local specialties. There are watermelons in the neighboring city of Tomisato, peanuts in Yachimata, and sake and miso in Sakura, but to be honest, I am at a bit of a loss when it comes to specialty products from Narita.
If that is the case, I would like to reach a point where people will say, "Narita is sheep, isn't it?
Rather than me working alone, I would like to create an environment where we can work together with people who are willing to cooperate.
ーWhat is your message to our readers?ー
Omotesando is the most famous street in Narita, but there are many other really nice places to visit besides Omotesando. I also recommend the area around Lake Inbanuma and spots around the airport where you can see airplanes up close.
Rather than just visiting the approach to the temple, one thing I think would be nice is to take a little more time and explore the surrounding area in a wider area. Of course, you should also try the Genghis Khan.
Crowdfunding is underway. The period is until Monday, June 30, 2025.
イタリアンからジンギスカンに！お店を変えてまで、成田に羊の牧場を復活させる！プロジェクト
“Sheep, Deer, and Sometimes Wild Boar”/羊と鹿とときどき猪
