Field Trip #9: Japantown

One of the most popular countries for my students is Japan and it would not be prudent to neglect such a fascinating country and not tap into the intense interest that my students have for Japanese culture.

You can start a field trip to Japan by visiting the Japan Information and Culture Center on 21st street. This cultural center is very easy to miss since it is underground but it is vast since it can accommodate a group of 150 students at a time (which I would not recommend since that could be a logistical nightmare/not as educationally rich as it could be). Today I saw this great exhibit on Japanese kites but best thing are culture kits they have created in which students can play games, wear summer kimonos, learn Japanese calligraphy and learn about J-Pop (contemporary Japanese culture). The coolest thing of all is that you can put down a small deposit and pick these items up and bring them to your class. So you can start your Japanese field trip without the logistical nightmare of the travel.

But do not read that above thinking I am condoning NOT going on a field trip. Who would suggest such a crazy notion? So bring the artifacts back to school and show them to all the students. Contact Izumi Swarts at the culture center and plan on bringing a smaller group of students and then stop off at Hana Market on U street to shop in a great Japanese market. This market will allow your students to really taste the great junk food and Ramune drink (the bottle with the glass marble in it) that Japanese students are eating right now on their field trips. It is a great little market and has limited space but if you swing by beforehand and explain what you are doing Yoshio Tanabe will be gracious to welcome you and your students in.



Contact Info:
Japan Information & Culture Center
Izumi Swarts
Information Officer & School Program Coordinator
Lafayette Center III
1155 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 238-6946
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc


Hana Market
Yoshio Tanabe - Manager
2000 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202)-939-8854
Its at the corner of 17th and U streets.
Best to go in person.