If you've ever stepped foot in a Mitsuwa Marketplace, you know it's not your ordinary grocery store. It's a whole damn experience.
1. It's a vast, magical superstore that provides a slice of Japan right here in the States.
2. A utopia where you can find daikon, Yakult, and Kewpie mayonnaise all in one place.
3. Where you gaze at the food court displays filled with perfectly lacquered food...
...as you passive-aggressively battle other families for a table.
4. I mean, what better way to be greeted when walking into a store than with free samples?
5. The ramen here will restore your faith in everything.
6. Not to mention the freshly battered, decadent goodness that is Hannosuke tempura.
7. And they've got obanyaki for DAYS. You know the fish shape when you see it.
8. Two words: Matcha Love. A stand dedicated entirely to matcha desserts!
9. But really, they have green tea everything.
10. AND BABIES. EVERYWHERE. The entire store is like adorable baby overload.
11. The onigiri here does not mess around, and many of these little rice balls are $1 each. I'll take one of everything please.
12. And the sushi ain't your average Whole Foods sushi. They make killer rolls that are fresher than you!
13. The pickle section is an endless landscape of color and beauty.
14. And their seafood section is pretty insane too.
15. It's also a beauty product wonderland. Masks on masks on masks!
16. Everything in the snack aisle is so adorable and colorful it's hard not to buy it all. Did you even know there were this many different types of Pocky?
17. Desperately looking for some shrimp-flavored snacks or dried squid? Don't worry, they have it.
18. I mean the bread from their bakery literally smiles at you.
19. And it's packaging heaven. Every detail is brilliant and so damn cute, how could you not want to buy this stuff?
20. Some stores even have awesome events like the Japanese Summer Festival.
21. And although it can get insanely crowded, what makes it all worth it is that Mitsuwa just makes you feel like you're home.
