April 6, 2025
By Nicolle Alvarez
Staff Writer
Twenty-one students from the International Culture Club traveled to Edgewater on March 7 to explore Mitsuwa Marketplace, a national Japanese chain where customers can purchase groceries and dine at a food court that sells a variety of traditional Japanese dishes.
When they arrived, students ordered lunch, which included ramen, seafood and sushi. Afterward, students had about an hour to explore the marketplace, shop and enjoy a view of the Hudson River. They ended the day by going next door to Books Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore chain, and Daiso, which sells household goods.
In preparation for the trip, the club’s secretary, junior Sayaka Martinez, who is of Japanese descent, gave a presentation at a club meeting on Feb. 25, offering insights about various Japanese foods and traditions.
“I wanted to buy everything because it seemed very interesting, [even if] it was something as simple as a cookie behind the packaging.”
Martinez, who has been part of the club for two years, said she enjoyed visiting Mitsuwa Marketplace with her classmates.
“I have been going since I was a little girl, but this time, it was pretty fun because I got to hang out with my friends and show them a part of my culture,” Martinez said.
She said her favorite Japanese food is takoyaki, a ball-shaped snack that is typically filled with minced or diced octopus.
“It is a social food for me because I used to make it with my family,” Martinez said.
Junior Aaron Johnsen, who joined the International Culture Club this year, said trying new Japanese cuisine was a great experience.
“I saw a lot of different food that I have never seen before,” Johnsen said. “My favorite [Japanese] food is a spicy tuna roll because it is simple to order and easy to eat.”
Johnsen said he appreciated the colorful and creative nature of many items in the marketplace, which differ from products at American grocery stores.
“The packaging of all the Japanese products has a strategic part in the marketing,” Johnsen said. “I wanted to buy everything because it seemed very interesting, [even if] it was something as simple as a cookie behind the packaging.”
Spanish teacher Ms. Veiga, who advises the International Culture Club, said she enjoyed watching the students engage with Japanese culture.
“When it came to shopping after, there were some kids who seemed already interested in Japanese culture and then others who were teaching them, which was very nice,” Veiga said.
She said the field trip allowed students to explore a culture beyond their own.
“Every time that we go somewhere on a trip with this club, I see that kids start thinking of other places they can go and other things they can see,” Veiga said. “It expands their mind and makes them think about other people outside themselves.”
