I actually was intending to go to Chikara mochi a few feet away but they were sold out for the day, so I decided to go here instead. At first glance, it's really easy to miss the storefront, since it looks dark and worn out. We ordered half a dozen and got one of each: white, pink, green, kinako, orange, and imo manju. My favorite was the kinako, but all the mochis were fresh and soft. The imo (sweet potato) manju tasted a bit like pumpkin pie with the notes of cinnamon. Overall, a bit pricey at $2.90/piece but an authentic spot for traditional mochi. Note: cash or check only. read more

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Traditional, time capsule, and quality. I did not know what to expect when I stepped into this small little bakery full of sweet culture. I loved how this place has not changed one bit. Time has been a factor in here so come cash ready!. These mochi treats are unlike anything. Quality in every bite. I was told to warm it up but I threw them in the fridge. Let me just say they were delicious. So soft it's like pillows in between your tongue and palate. Can't say enough about this tiny little joint. Expect to spend about 40-60 bucks and bring your crispy bills! . Also this place is like an old school spot so be mindful and respectful. You pay for quality so expect nothing less! With that in mind enjoy!! read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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Places like Sakura-ya make me happy and nostalgic. I think it's wonderful that old school places like this still exist and survive. Walking into Sakura-ya is like stepping into a time warp. Trays of mochi and manju with a straight forward pricing (based on number of pieces) makes things simple and easy. The elderly lady that was working the counter was just the sweetest and so accommodating. Very helpful and welcoming. I picked up the following: Maruyaki manju peanut (4/5) I couldn't taste the peanut but it was pretty good. Kiku manju (5/5) soft mochi nested in a not to sweet pancake. Delicious with hot tea and coffee. Imo manju (5/5) my favorite manju. The sweet potato and subtle cinnamon taste was perfect. I could eat this every day. Everything I got was fresh and delicious. I typically enjoy the manju and mochi with a cup of strong green tea, hojicha, or hot coffee. Parking is easy peasy. Street parking is plentiful and free. Don't forget to bring cash or a check because they do not accept credit cards. This is a great place to pick up mochi and manju! I'll be back! LOCATION: 5/5 FOOD: 5/5 SERVICE: 5/5 VALUE: 5/5 AMBIANCE: 5/5 PET FRIENDLY: n/a CLEANLINESS: 5/5 PARKING: 5/5 read more

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-- CASH ONLY --- SAKURA-YA is one shop in a strip mall with free parking at the back. The place may look like it's not open, but it is! Got 5 different flavors and I have only tasted the sesame seed powder one and it is SO GOOD! Fresh mochi rocks. There really is a difference! The two ladies were fast and friendly. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

Have cash on hand and don't be cheap. Quality will cost you, and the prices are perfectly reasonable for something that is made fresh every morning. I love the Orange Mochi - it's like a Hi-C but less sweet with a satisfying pseudo-citrus flavor. Kiku Manju is a surprise favorite, a thin, sweet pancake folded over red beans and white mochi. Kuri Manju is a sweet simplicity, wheat flour with white bean puree. Do NOT skip the Sakura Mochi when it is in season. Gooey grains of flower-pink encase a silky red bean, surrounded by a salty blossom leaf. The sweet and salty combination is just spectacular. Do not miss out on this mochi. It's amazing and truly worth trying. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

Very expensive so I only indulge a few times a year. But they are the best manju makers in California

This place has been around as long as I can remember! I stopped in to pickup a box to bring for family and totally forgot they were cash only! I had $30 so I was only able to get a 10 piece box which costs $29.50. I went when they opened on a Friday morning so I only had to wait behind one other person. All of the mochi flavors were available. I saw signs around that they recommend eating them within 3-4 days, and you can reheat them to make them softer again by microwaving. It's nice to see this place has continued to survive even through the pandemic, I just wish they would convert to accepting credit card payments! read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

I like the consistency even after 4 days in the refrigerator. I went as they were closing, so the choices were limited. Don't like the beans outside. I mistakenly heard chocolate, but it was beans. The place looked old, which is a good thing. That means they have been around a long time. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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We have had pre-packaged market mochi, homemade mochi, mochi in Hawaii, and mochi from other Japanese bakeries-- this has to be one of the best. The true test was having the orange mochi with no filling. It really highlights the smooth texture, delicate and refreshing orange flavor of the mochi. We happened to be in the area and decided to stop here on a whim. We were pleasantly surprised and so glad we tried it out. How lucky are we to have establishments (established in 1960!) such as this still around in this day and age?! read more

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I've been coming here for over 30 years and it's always been my go-to spot. However, my service dog was denied access because I was told, "dogs are messy". My dog always wears her service dog harness in public, so I was expecting the owner to at least ask me the only two questions allowed per the ADA. While I support their no dog policy, service dogs cannot be denied access in public spaces for simply being "messy". I can no longer support a business that violates my ADA rights...too bad. read more

I read reviews on Chikari that Sakura-ya was only one block away, so I had to stop here. We ordered an assortment of mochi to go. These mochis are soooo chewy! It's probably the chewiest mochi I've had! SO good! Head on over to Chikari which is only a block away to see the difference between these two shops. My favorite has to be Sakura-ya. The mochi is softer and thinner and they give more filling! Sakura-ya has really transported me back to Japan! read more

Sakura-ya - Mochi - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

Sakura-ya is an old time mochi shop in Gardena. I was headed to UYE with some Yeeps nearby, and decided to stop by to get some dessert. Located on Western Avenue nearby the Gardena Police Department, street parking is available. Sakura-ya has a nice assortment of mochi and manju, $2.60 (April 2022) each. I ordered a mix of orange & red bean (green color) mochi. Cash or check only. Quick stop, less than 15 minutes. Later after dinner was finished, then passed out the mochi. Such a comfort food! Traditional, not sweet, great mouthfeel! Very enjoyable! It's very trippy to realize Gardena has two old time mochi shops not a hundred yards from each other! You don't see that in Little Tokyo in downtown LA, or Honolulu! Only in Gardena! Please support these small mom and pop shops! Definitely will repeat and recommend! read more

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Fresh delicious mochi with lots of different choices to choose from. I appreciate finding this gem that's been in business for so long and continues to provide great quality traditional mochi and packs them into a box with ribbon. I recommend going early in the morning to find parking on the street. read more

*cash only* Light and fluffy mochi with the perfect sweetness. Craving more already. Small store with everything ready to go in and out quickly. Wish they had more variety. Pink mochi: white bean filling. Definitely getting more of these. Orange: good orange flavor, but not my favorite. Will pass next time. Service: sweet older lady was very nice and helped me to pack the mochi very quickly. It would be nice if they could move to cash apps/cards in the future. Parking: store front. COVID precaution: masks read more

Sakura-ya - Pink mochi and orange mochi - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

THIS IS A MUST! I always make it a point to stop in for manju. Just be sure to get here early for the best selections.

Returning to the US after five years in NZ I was craving fresh Mochi. My husband and two gfs had never been and now as retirees we look for new places to dine after our constitutionals. After lunch in Gardena we needed our usual after meal sweets so I suggested fresh Mochi. The two women that worked there for years are no longer there. I have so many fond memories of the care and precision they would wrap your purchase with the perfect amount of gift wrap and curling ribbon. Treating the confectionery as the exquisite gifts they truly were. The store is a little darker and dingier but it didn't affect the quality of the goods. A good scrub down would be a great thing for new customers. I will be back regardless. read more

Went here for the first time last month. Mochi was delightful! So soft and perfectly sweet! I bought six for my family. We devoured them within minutes. My only complaint is that it wasn't packaged aesthetically. It was on a styrofoam plate and wrapped in plastic wrap. This was fine for my family but I really wanted to bring a box to my neighbor but it just didn't look quite "presentable" enough for a gift, so I didn't purchase the extra box. read more

Sakura-ya is an old school mochi shop. The confectioneries are a lost art and not very many exist today. Perhaps it's because of a lack of generational interest. We always get an assorted box for get togethers with family and friends. They are very friendly and helpful. They can accommodate large orders if placed in advance. We have made purchases for special occasions (e.g., weddings, birthdays and funerals). A little mochi can brighten up a day. Please support local business and keep a tradition alive. It's a very small place with street parking. So keep an eye out or you can miss it. read more

It's sad. Been going here since I was a kid. Same friendly service but the quality has gone down in the last few years. Kiku has lost its stamp and only a pea-size bit of anko and the mochi was not soft! Made my mom think it was a day old. Kinako mochi was much smaller, as were other items. I'll try them again but I hope they find their way back to prioritizing quality and value. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

I don't think I would have discovered this hidden gem if it wasn't for yelp! The outside of the shop only has the name: Sakura-ya and there's is no mention of mochi or manju anywhere unless you go inside. There is curb side parking on the big street. There's no tables or chairs inside so you basically have to order to-go. The inside and outside of the shop looks outdated but this place is definitely a hidden gem you wouldn't want to miss out on! As I stepped into the shop I was hit with nostalgia from the aroma of the mochi and the decor of the store. I came to the shop around 30 min til closing time so there were some flavors that were unavailable. I ordered 12 mochi/manju for my grandparents and they loved it! I only tried 3 different Mochis but each one was so delicious and chewy! My favorite was the pink mochi which contained smooth white bean inside. The texture of the mochi was so soft and kinda melted in my mouth! The orange mochi had a nice soft orange flavor. Each mochi was big enough to cut into fours. I was full just off of one mochi! I'll definitely visit again and hopefully try the other flavors as well! read more

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We ordered 2 boxes of Manju, one box of 10 pieces and 1 box of 20 pieces which came to $84.00. Pricey? When you eat it, yes it's worth every penny.....delicious! read more

Sakura-ya - Small box of manju - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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Cozy neat mochi place. Mochi was fresh and so soft!!!! It wasn't overly sweet. A little bit on the pricey side but well worth every penny. Service is good they are fast and will put your mochi in a nice little package box with a ribbon. read more

We were in the area visiting family and friends and we wanted to do a taste test: Chikara Mochi versus Sakura-ya versus Shuei-Do Manju Shop (San Jose Japantown.) Yes, the two in Gardena are a block apart, and the other a 75-minute flight away, but our family really enjoys our manju/mochi -- and even tried our hand at making it (a LOT of work!) Chikara Mochi and Sakura-ya both had their pluses and minuses. The dango at Chikara Mochi was a little grainy, but their manju was softer. The manju at Chikara Mochi was more decorative - perfect for gifting (omiyage.) The Sakura-ya manju had a smoother texture. To each his own, and personal preference plays a big role here, but Shuei-Do Manju Shop manju and chichidango are pillowy-soft and has a larger selection and is the winner in my book. Sakura-ya is more similar to Shuei-Do Manju Shop. Prices are similar between the three, as well. You can't go wrong treating yourself to any manju, anytime. Please patronize these small, family-owned businesses. Street parking is usually available out front. read more

Cute little mom and pop mochi shop! I totally walked passed it looking for it because it looked like a random store. Everything tasted fresh and it was fun to try all the flavors. Cash only. read more

Service was polite. Mochi was fluffy soft and not too sweet. Definitely a repeat!!!

Amazing soft texture on the mochi with the right amount of chew. The bean paste in their green and pink mochis are very pleasant, texture and flavor wise. However, one thing to note is that the selection is not as diverse since it's a small store. read more

It's my favorite place for manju. Kiku manju is a favorite. The owners are really nice. If you're late in going, you may be out of luck...most items are sold out. read more

Tiny little mochi shop which appears to be kinda in the middle of nowhere. Its a bit hard to spot. Very dark inside. Not the best mochi I have had - FugetsuDo is definitely better. read more

Sakuraya is hands-down the best Mochi shop on So-Cal!!! I grew up a die-hard devotee of Mikawaya- when they switched to only doing Mochi ice cream we switched over to Fugetsu-Do. But now that I've finally tried Sakuraya I'm hooked!!! It's a tiny shop in Gardena. There's a lot in the back and parking in the front of the street if you're lucky. Customer service is awesome- the girls working the day we went in were very friendly and helpful! I made the mistake of coming the week of New Year's and not pre-ordering. If you're not Japanese, you should know that New Years is one of, if not THEE biggest holiday of the year for the Japanese & Japanese-American communities. One thing we MUST have for this holiday is Mochi! I thought I could pop in an pick up a bag of 'Komochi' along with some wagashi & manju- was I wrong (lol)! Turns out they sold almost everything on hand early that morning. There was basically little to nothing left to buy- everything else in house was for ore-orders. So we bought one of everything that was for sale. Daifuku, Manju, and a piece of orange flavored Mochi. Everything was AMAZING!!! So the big difference that sets Sakuraya apart from the rest is how pillowy and soft their Mochi is. The flavors aren't too sweet and you definitely taste the quality of the ingredients. I don't know if I can adequately explain how you can feel and appreciate the extra time and care that goes into making their confections. Definitely on a different planet from the other shops in OC and LA! Prices are fair and the packaging is old-school~ I'm a sucker for nostalgia so I loved the fact that they still tie traditional boxes with curling ribbon! Definitely make the trip out to South Bay the next time you want some Mochi! Or if you're in the area and haven't stopped in yet definitely go out if your way to check it out! Bring cash and be ready to fall in love with Sakuraya~ it's love at first bite! read more

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Of the three main mochi stores in LA, I know the two is Gardena. Sakura-ya makes delicious mochi. I didn't think I liked it. Turns out I like good mochi. read more

I came back here a couple of times recently to get boxes. One was for a coworker, and another my dad wanted to mail to Hawaii. Mailing didn't exactly work out.. I tried to tell him. Anyway, the prices are now about $2 a piece but it is a small price to pay for something so fresh and luxurious. I haven't gotten anything but positive feedback from everyone I know who has had this. Soft rice and a good amount of filling, I hope this place is around forever. My favorite is the kinako, azuki mochi dusted with soybean powder. Tbf my husband is not a fan, so it might an acquired taste. To be safe, you can't go wrong with white daifuku. read more

Thanks to my fellow Yelpers, I found this. I normally patronize the Fugetsu-do. I was attempting to do a taste test with Chikara Mochi, but they were closed due to being all sold out. But since I haven't a taste for mochi, and Sakura-ya is literally 5 door down I came anyhow. Cash or check only!! Trust me, I was short some and had to go over to store across the street. Embarrasing! They had so many good looking mochi and manju, that I decided to try one of each! Everything is freshly made. Like some of the mochi you get a the Japanese grocery store they come from Fugetsu-do and they upcharge you. So why not just go to a local source and support the small businesses, especially when this is a specialty item. So after the girl starts pick out the mochi and manjus to put in the box I ask her the price and realize I'm about $10 short. I luckily know how to read so I didn't ask the stupid question can I pay with a credit card. I asked if there was an ATM around. She said across the street. Normally when people are short or don't have the money they just leave and don't come back, leaving the poor person to deal. I came back and they them all wrapped up and the owner ( believe) knew it for me so he grabbed it off the back table. I saw a few postcards on a table it was of dogs and cats available for adoption so they support a rescue group too. I've decided that I'm more of a mochi than a manju fan. I tore through the mochi throughout the day, so if you are located in the South Bay and can't get to Fugetsu-do go here. read more

Sakura-ya - The assortment. - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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Sakura-ya is very good, but be warned. They are quite pricey ($2.80 each) and they are pretty limited when it comes to flavors. However, what they do have is very good. I usually just get the mochi. It's not too sweet and the mochi is so soft and delicate! Really melts in your mouth. read more

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Old School mochi and service. Felt like I was in a 1970s movie, in a good way. Quality homemade mochi in special flavors with lots of love. Let's keep this place going for another generation. No place like it. read more

Traditional Japanese mochi and manju. They're are delicious and it's our go-to spot when we want mochi/manju. I love supporting mom-and-pop shops and we've come to Sakuraya for years now. Each piece is delicately crafted, super soft and chewy, and delicious. If you're looking for a nice dessert or treat to bring to a gathering, you can't with anything here. I would suggest coming in the morning since the selection will be better. Keep in mind that it's cash only. read more

Sakura-ya - Mochi and Manju counter - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

I was so disappointed, it tasted really bad. How can mochi be this bad?It was too expensive, the service was bad, and the facilities were terrible. read more

The mochi is still very good! The owner's wife or daughter or whoever she is however could use a few classes in manners/customer service! She is the one who takes the money and makes the change. I thought maybe she was having a bad day but it has been every time over the course of a few months. She doesn't want to be there, seems like it REALLY bothers her just to take your cash?!? Doesn't smile or speak or even look at you. Not as much as a thank you after you spend $40 or$50 bucks on mochi! Every time we go there is a new girl getting your order, must be hard to keep anyone working with her. Kind of a grouch. I don't know why customers keep going back.... So sad. read more

Sakuraya doesn't try to be fancy or friendly. That being said I will continue to go here for the not-too-sweet, highest quality mochi and manju. read more

Sakura-ya - Clockwise: imo manju, pink mochi, kinako mochi - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

I found this place on a whim and I genuinely enjoyed every piece of mochi! I cannot express how nice they were inside. It's a small little mochi shop and it's clearly the best I've had! read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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CASH OR CHECK ONLY! You can street park in front of the store. I've come here to grab mochi for large parties and I love that the mochi is always fresh and never too sweet. They have a wide verity of mochi flavors and seasonal options. The grandma that's here every time is always so friendly and she makes sure to tie the boxes securely everyone. read more