There’s a colorful new Japanese market in the Financial District

Although walking into Mitsuki, a Japanese market that already boasts a location in Greenpoint and now a second one in FiDi, feels like a visit to Japan, the new shop in the Potter Building at 38 Park Row near Beekman Street, is actually a great example of the sorts of businesses that can perhaps only properly thrive in New York.

The plethora of product genres sold here does, in fact, cater to a particular sort of city dweller: someone interested in Japanese culture who also prefers to do all of their shopping inside a single store. 

As can be glimpsed in the tour video that the shop itself has shared on Instagram, Mitsuki is filled with all sorts of interesting Japanese finds: from specialty drinks and snacks to skincare products, anime toys and stationery sets.

"The motto of the Japanese mini market is to bring simple happiness to people," owner Jay Cao says via email.

To Cao, pure happiness comes in the form of sweets.

"It's hard to imagine how a small piece of candy can bring a whole day of happiness to a child," he says. "I often seek things that can bring joy and fulfillment to other people, hoping to prolong that pure delight."

Other delightful finds there include hot bento boxes (“Instead of eating in a restaurant or choosing fast food, you can quickly grab lunch here”) and specialty foods like sushi and yakitori, in addition to the various non-edible items that pepper the space.

The store itself, which is anime-themed, is a sight for sore eyes, embracing the general concept that the roster of offerings plays on as well. 

As for the location, which, at first glance, sounds counterintuitive given the predominance of Wall Street-adjacent businesses in the neighborhood, Cao explains that the choice was very much deliberate.

"The selection of Financial District in New York was a logical choice based on its geographic location, diversity of retail offerings and its reputation for fostering creativity and innovation in the food industry," explains the owner. "Our primary focus is on locating a store in a vibrant and thriving commercial district in order to attract and serve a diverse customer base. We also consider the benefits and amenities that are available in the area, such as reliable transportation and access to high-quality food."

And if you just can't get yourself all the way to downtown Manhattan, perhaps consider visiting Mitsuki's other location at 703 Manhattan Avenue by Norman Avenue in Brooklyn.