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”!
This episode's guest is Mr. Ryotaro Hayakawa, President and CEO of STRIDERS Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Narita Gateway Hotel. Based at the Narita Gateway Hotel near the airport, he promotes Narita's appeal both domestically and internationally. We spoke with him about his career as a business leader and his passion for Narita.
ーPlease tell me about the features of the Narita Gateway Hotel.ー
Narita Gateway Hotel has a history of about 30 years. Originally opened as the “Washington Hotel” by Fujita Kanko, it was acquired by our Strider's Group in 2013 and has continued operations under its current name.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we leased an entire hotel as a medical care facility for Chiba Prefecture, but have since resumed regular operations. Our space blends European-style interiors with the ambiance of traditional Japanese architecture, offering breakfast and dinner in all 307 rooms. We welcome international travelers, domestic corporate clients, and individual travelers alike.
ーPlease tell us about your career history to date.ー
I attended Narita Junior High School and Narita High School locally, and during high school I was on the baseball team aiming for Koshien. For college, I studied abroad in Kansas, USA, playing baseball, and spent five years there.
After returning to Japan, I joined Orix and worked there for six years. I then moved to STRIDERS Group, becoming its representative at age 34 in 2017. Since then, I've been involved in managing STRIDERS Group as its president. Starting this year, I've also taken on the role of manager at Gateway Hotel, hoping to contribute to the region's development. I've joined the Rotary Club to expand local partnerships, including various exchanges with the community in Narita.
ーDo you have any favorite spots around Narita Airport?ー
I love shrines and temples, and Narita's Makata Shrine is one of my favorite spots. Looking up at the 1,300-year-old giant cedar tree calms my heart, giving me time to relax and sharpen my senses. Then there's Naritasan for morning goma fire rituals and goma burning. You can practice ascetic training there too, and it's definitely one of my favorite places.
ーPlease tell us about your future outlook.ー
I believe Narita's future is bright. Narita naturally holds a significant presence within Chiba Prefecture. As Japan's gateway centered around Narita Airport, and given our company name, Narita Gateway Hotel, we aim to develop businesses that connect Japan with the world. We want to establish the hotel as a hub where people come to know us and gather. Beyond the hotel itself, we aspire to contribute to revitalizing the local community.
Japanese culture is truly wonderful content, so we want this place to be where visitors to Japan can experience its appeal, and where domestic residents can rediscover its value. Through such activities, we aim to use the hotel as a base for educational initiatives, helping Narita become a hub that disseminates culture.
Another thing is that while Narita is a well-known city, I think many people wonder, “What's actually there?” So I want to create jobs, tasks, and projects that enable the younger generation to realize their dreams, and build connections with people from overseas.
ーPlease share a message for our readers.ー
Narita is not just an “airport town.” Within a 20-kilometer radius, you'll find history and nature packed into places like Katori Shrine, Kashima Shrine, and the castle town of Sakura. It's only about an hour from Tokyo by train or car, offering both nature and delicious food, making it an ideal spot for retreats, management training camps, and sports training camps. I hope you'll come visit and get to know Narita better.
Going forward, I believe the overall master plan for the city of Narita itself will become increasingly important. I'd like to hear more from visitors about what would make them want to come back to Narita.
Of course entertainment is important, but beyond that, I believe this area has tremendous potential in art, culture, music, festivals, and more. I want to effectively express that potential and create enjoyable pathways for people to experience it.
Narita Gateway Hotel
