IWAKUNI CITY, Japan (Feb. 24, 2020) -- Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents participated in a lotus root digging experience at Iwakuni City’s regional wholesale market in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 6, 2020.
Station residents were given the opportunity to learn how to harvest and then cook popular lotus root recipes, including; renkon (lotus root) rice, renkon potato salad, renkon mochi and renkon cheese.
"The lotus root digging and cooking experience helps MCAS Iwakuni residents and Iwakuni City residents learn Japanese foods, where they come from, and how to cook them,” said Mikie Watanabe, a Cultural Adaptation Specialist with MCAS Iwakuni. “Several recipes are given to the people who attend for future use.”
Lotus roots are a specialty of the city. Iwakuni is one of the major lotus root producers in Japan and distributes the plant nationwide. The holes in the root are special to this city, having either nine or eleven holes each, whereas other lotus roots from other cities have seven holes. The holes in the lotus root act as the airways and circulation system for the water-immersive plant regulating the temperature of the plant. The lotus root has a human body system like circulation system and mimics the warm blood nature of humans.
“I have never been on one of these trips. I didn’t even know about Cultural Adaptation until a couple days ago,” said Carla Brice, a resident of MCAS Iwakuni. “I signed up for this trip to get a better experience with Iwakuni. Being a mom, my usual day is going to the gym, running errands and then going back home. So, to get out, be active and learn with other people feels good.”
Station residents at MCAS Iwakuni have the unique opportunity of attending cultural adaptation events in and around Iwakuni City. Watanabe, takes residents out two or three times a month so they can learn more about Japan and the community. Residents can sign up for these events at Building 411, between Building 1 and Crossroads on base.