About this location
A few stories people tell about this place
1. At Izumiya Japanese Marketplace, every Wednesday around sunset, a delivery driver would arrive with an unusual cargo—a giant paper lantern that lit up like fireworks. One day, while pushing his shopping cart, a little boy noticed it and exclaimed, ‘Daddy, what’s that glowing thing?’ The father smiled and said, ‘Son, that’s no ordinary lantern—it’s our secret way of saying thank you for all your hard work.’ The boy nodded thoughtfully, then whispered to his dad, ‘So, does that mean I can have one when I grow up?’ A regular customer nearby overheard them and laughed, shaking his head: ‘Not if you want to fit through the checkout aisle!’
2. At Izumiya Japanese Marketplace, a sign above the entrance began reading ‘Today’s Special: Smiles for Sale—$1 Each.’ A regular stopped mid-cart and asked the cashier if it was real. The cashier smiled and replied, 'Of course not, sir!' Then he added with a twinkle in his eye, 'But you can buy our delicious sushi for just that price today.' The regular laughed and shook his head, pushing his cart deeper into the store.
3. At Izumiya Japanese Marketplace, an elderly gentleman started noticing strange things in the produce section late at night. One day, he found himself staring at a basket of apples that seemed to whisper ‘Eat me last.’ Curious, he picked one up and sure enough, it was slightly warmer than the others. Over time, other employees began hearing whispers too—though they never agreed on what was said. Eventually, someone asked a delivery driver if his truck had been playing tricks on them. Turns out, the driver’s favorite radio show did have a segment called 'Eat Me Last.'
4. At Izumiya Japanese Marketplace, after closing hours one night, a security guard heard soft giggles coming from the back aisle. Curious, he approached and found only empty shelves—until a small paper crane fluttered down from above. Just as he bent to pick it up, another crane landed on his shoulder. Startled, he looked around—and saw dozens more birds floating gently in the air. Turns out, an elderly neighbor had been secretly making origami cranes every week and sneaking them into the store’s vents. When asked why, she simply smiled and said, ‘I wanted Izumiya to always feel like home.’