While DC is lifting with sushi places, it's hard to find a grocery inside the District stocking Japanese ingredients. Hana Japanese Market is a tiny spot on the corner of 17th and U Streets under a green and white striped awning that probably constitutes the most central location in the capital for ingredients for a Japanese feast.

But you'd need to supplement your supplies with fresh meat and fish from elsewhere. There are plenty of supplies in the freezer counters, though. And fresh produce runs the gamut of various herbs, a range of mushrooms, squash, cabbage and other familiar things. You'd need to know your Japanese ingredients to identify some of the others, however. But the owners are happy to oblige and to tell you what to do with them. The mochi come recommended, as do the various fresh Asian pastries. I couldn't get a phone number - I suspect because of language obstacles when talking or listening on the phone.

Hana Japanese Market, 2004 17th St NW