IWAKUNI CITY, Japan -- Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents visited a local wholesale market in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 19, 2018.
The trip to the wholesale market allowed station residents to attend a local food market where vendors sell fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, and sweets like mochi balls and snow cones.
This is the first time the Cultural Adaptation Program organized this event for residents. This market happens every third Saturday of the month.
“This is a great opportunity to join a community,” said Mikie Watanabe, a cultural adaptation specialist with Marine Corps Community Services. “They get to enjoy shopping and see local products like vegetables, fruit and meat.”
Upon arrival, everyone was greeted with coffee and water provided by a local coffee shop near the market. Maps were handed out and the residents were free to explore what the market had to offer.
Outside the building there were vendors selling grilled eel, colorful mochi balls and flowers. Vendor’s voices echoed the prices and types of fish being sold as shoppers walked through the warehouse.
Fruit and vegetables filled boxes outside, where vendors were ready to bag them for customers.
“My favorite part was the fresh produce,” said Alyssa Granillo, an MCAS Iwakuni resident.
Towards the end of the market, everyone gathered around a stage where there was an auction for remaining produce and meat.
Watanabe explained that vendors go to an auction to buy fresh produce and meat for the market, and that having a small auction allowed local Iwakuni City residents and visitors from the base to experience how vendors get their product for the market.
After the auction, kids made their way to the front of the crowd where candy was thrown out to them. Mochi balls were thrown as well, which represents good luck.
Watanabe said that having this event for residents allows them to become knowledgeable of activities off base, so they can become comfortable attending them on their own time.