On April 5, middle school students taking advanced Japanese enjoyed an annual culinary and cultural field trip to local Japanese restaurant, Tomi Sushi. Their teacher, Kumi Matsui, said the students benefited from practicing Japanese outside the classroom.

“The staff of this restaurant spoke native Japanese and the students ordered dishes only in Japanese. After lunch, we went to Hakone Gardens in Saratoga to learn and experience a tea ceremony. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn about Japanese culture,” she said.