Sakura-Ya

This is said to be the oldest and most beloved mochi shop in the area. We picked up a 10-piece assortment that included ohagi, injeolmi mochi, steamed buns, and various manju. The store itself looks like it’s barely hanging on—honestly, you might walk right past it if you didn’t know what you were looking for. But the flavors are simple, clean, and feel homemade. No artificial aftertaste or overpowering sweetness—just old-school comfort. I especially liked the ohagi and the cinnamon manju. One of my companions loved the injeolmi mochi and also the cinnamon manju, while another really enjoyed the steamed bun and the white bean-filled manju. If you appreciate traditional flavors and a nostalgic, home-style vibe, this place is worth checking out.

Can't say I agree with these high ratings. While I love to support small businesses, I'm not a fan of overrated places. I had much better Mochi... The Mochi is nothing to rave about here, I wouldn't say you are missing out on anything if you didn't make it here. For what it was I thought it was on the pricier side; considering the selection is not as vast as other places. No Peanut Butter or fruit filled Mochi here. Also the location and the fact this is a run down hole in the wall. Finally, there is the Cash only business policy inconvenience.

Great handmade mochi with BIG servings. For $3 each the mochi were massive! The taste was not too sweet and I especially loved the orange mochi. They seem to sell out less quickly than chikara mochi down the street which is nice to have a selection later in the day. Do know it is a cash only establishment

Their orange mochi is some of the best mochi I've ever had. It is a nice big size serving for the price. The associate was very knowledgeable describing each piece we inquired about. Cash only

Softest texture and not too sweet. Sunday open hours meant I was able to bring some back fresh to Boston for the start of the week. 🙌🏼 They weren’t taken from my carry-on bags by airplane security, despite soft red bean fillings! (Anything “spreadable” like peanut butter not allowed.) Wished I bought more!

wow. ive had mochi made from scratch before, and even tried it myself, but thiiiis! unbeatable. the freshest and most delicious mochi i have had. tastes freshly pounded versus the use of rice flour. a great diversity of flavors and types of sweets. a box would be a great gift to anyone. 信じられない 🙏🏽

Sakuraya is an incredibly unassuming little shop that serves delicious mochi, the texture and taste were awesome in my opinion. The older lady that was running the shop was so friendly and helped me pick stuff out. It has a very hidden gem mom and pop shop kind of vibe. Also be sure to bring cash! Mochis run from about $2.50-$3.00 each. I drove more than an hour to visit this place and I’d definitely say it was worth the trip for truly traditionally made mochi.

It’s definitely a hole in the wall, mom and pop style traditional (or historic?) mochi store. I was told that the family business has been around for 58years, and the current owners are the second generation. Their mochi and manju tasted very fresh and flavorful. You can tell that they only make small portion of their produce each day which I appreciate. You can tell it’s all about the quality!! 👍🏻

My entire family is a fiend for mochi, so I went to go get a custom assorted box of treats for them. They devoured it all within one sitting. They are a cash only establishment! Please bring cash otherwise you won't be able to get your goods. The staff were very nice and let us know which items were best consumed within the day to ensure quality!

I don't get the high ratings. While I love to support small businesses, I'm not a fan of overrated places. I had much better Mochi elsewhere... The Mochi here is nothing to rave about, I wouldn't say you are missing out on anything if you didn't make it to Sakura-Ya. For what it was, I thought Sakura-Ya was on the pricier side; considering the selection is not as vast as other places. No Peanut Butter or Fruit filled Mochi here. Also the location and the fact this is a run down hole in the wall. Annndd... finally there is that inconvenience of the Cash Only business policy. 2025!

CASH OR CHECK ONLY! When you walk in it's not very lively in there, quite dim and dark. Presentation in this shop is lacking a ton. Their mochi seemed to be lacking something I can't seem to put my finger on, they didn't seem too appealing and I only ended up grabbing 2 to try. Kinako Mochi (Roasted Soy Bean Flour)- texture of mochi was very very soft and not much bounce to it. Roasted Soy Bean was as expected. Filling wasn't too sweet and paired well with the nutty soy bean. Orange Mochi (no filling)- texture was much better, a little dense but enjoyable.

Ambiance: it's a small Japanese desserts store, very old fashioned decorations, and it was so dark inside Service: fast and friendly, packed food promptly Food: they offer limited kinds of sweets Green Mochi - *** poor presentation Maruyaki Manju - *** overly sweet Price: it costs $ 3 each approximately, cash only payment, and the taste was just fine

There are plenty of mochi places in town, each with own and eye catching or other uniqueness that tries to lure customers to come in. But Sakura ya is unique in this sense because it offers none of those. What it does own is imo the best mochi and manju you will ever find in LA. There are no fancy little arts or cute little bunnies on the mochis, no neon signs that says " the best mochi in town".... But make no mistake, these hand made little rice balls are fluffy, soft as ever,and tastes wonderful, just like the ones that I had in Japan. I strongly recommend you to give Sakura ya a try.

I can't evennnnn with this mochi. It's so freaking good! Sakura-ya is a total hole in the wall spot and very old school. Cash only and adorable Grandma running the business. Parking was free on the street, but don't drive too fast or you'll miss it. Green tea mochi was filled with adzuki red beans and created loads of smiles in my belly. The softness is unlike any other place I've had before - fresh and poofy like a cloud, and rich in flavor. Pink mochi with white bean filling almost seemed more soft and fluffy than the first one I tried. How is that possible?! What Harry Potter Wicked wizard ish is this! I can't put my finger on it but goodness, am I in love. About $3 a pop, plump as can be. I will be back soon and I will be back often, bringing all my out of town friends! Plus, they package it so cute.

Traditional Japanese mochi! My personal favorite are orange and pink! ( they are less sweet!) orange one has no fillings and pink one has white bean fillings. If you like red beans, the green and white one will be good but they are too sweet for me.

We were in the area and I couldn't miss an opportunity to get some mochi! I saw Sakura-ya was nearby on Yelp and decided to make a pit stop. THE MOOD: Sakura-ya is located in an unassuming street. If you drive too fast, you may just miss it! The inside isn't particularly fancy or well lit - the focus is on the fresh mochis and they are all displayed in a glass counter. THE FOOD: The mochis tasted super fresh. We went with the 10 piece box for $29.50. I asked the nice lady behind the counter to surprise us with 10 of her choosing. The mochi is soft, chewy, and not too sweet. There was also a nice ratio of filling to the mochi dough and overall, the mochis were super balanced in flavor and had a great texture. Plus, the whole box, once opened, just looked so pretty. So, it is a nice gift to give as they wrap it up for you. We grabbed an extra box for my brother in law as we were seeing him later that day. THE 'TUDE: The lady was super nice behind the counter. She got us in and out! Like I said, no muss, no fuss! :) OVERALL: The mochis here are delicious. If I'm in the area again, I'll definitely stop by. Tip 1: This place is cash only! Tip 2: You can park along the street or behind the store in a lot. Tip 3: There is no indoor or outdoor seating. You just order and go!

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!!

Today we encountered the rudest clerk I have ever experienced. She insisted she could only pack one box at a time, even though we were trying to divide the limited number of available kurimanju amongst the several boxes we were purchasing to take back to Hawaii. She also has no design sense and put all the same colored manju together, not in the usual beautifully arranged, color variegated pattern we are used to. When I asked her to arrange it the way I wanted, as the purchasing customer, she refused and told me I didn't have to buy it! If I had not promised family in Hawaii, I would have walked out. Customer service has definitely gone down hill here.

Mom and Pop style Japanese confectionery that specializes in mochi among other delicious treats. This place feels like it's been around for a very long time and it's located on a busy street in Gardena. The place is cash only or check, so just know that. But all the treats looked really delicious and the vibe felt like you're walking into a small shop in Japan. I ordered a Kiku manju, ohagi, and some green tea mochi. I thought everything was really tasty and it was fun trying different things. Definitely want to come back and try some more flavors.

Super hole in the wall - local place for mochi. Also I believe they are cash only. We were greeted upon walking in and there was a case full of different mochi. We weren't sure what the differences were between the types, but saw that there was a paper that described the fillings inside (e.g. red bean). That was helpful. We decided to get 4 different ones (each was ~$3) - my favorite was the pink mochi! I felt like it had a good amount of filling inside and the taste was delicious and fresh. I appreciated the tips that you can freeze the mochi and reheat in the microwave for 5 seconds if you want to enjoy it at a later time since putting it in the fridge will make the mochi hard.

Fresh mochi. Plump, chewy, delicious. No frills place. Roughly $3 each. Cash only. Favorites: the white and pink mochi.

My family and I were craving dessert after lunch so we decided to stop by for mochi! So many wonderful mochi options! We got the pink mochi, kinako mochi, orange mochi, green mochi and maruyaki (chocolate chip). So delicious! They were $2.95 each or 10 for $29.95. Cash or check! Parking on the street. No seating. Takeaway only! Can't wait to come back!

Mochi lovers gather around. One to mark on your list. A small shop that my parents have been going to since I can remember. Many flavors to choose from with some that are quite unique. Friendly service with a ribbon tied box. I luv red bean mochi. Preordered our boxes and was ready to go upon our arrival. Cash only! A full box is a good way to try all they have to offer.

Sakura-ya near old Gardena and just down the street from Bob's Hawaiian is a gem. Freshly made mochi. The quality is meant to be appreciated. Their offerings are so good. We went there on a Saturday a little after they opened. I got a dozen which is $34.50... not cheap but not bad considering the quality of their mochi. The pink, green & white mochi were all tasty. Filled with a sweet & smooth white bean. The kinako mochi was delicious. Smooth azuki bean on the inside, golden mochi on the outside & dusted in a peanut powder. Just delicious... The manju I had was also delicious. All the recommendations from the young lady that was working there were great. I also got the one mochi that has to be eaten that same day. It is sweet rice in the middle and azuki bean on the outside. Kind of an inside out version. It was good but more filling than the others. Very plain, dated inside and just their display case to the right when you walk in. They take cash or check only. They have t-shirts for sale. Service was great. Street parking only.

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.

Mom n pop confectionery store. Bf likes the Orange Mochi. I like the Kinako & Pink Mochi. Parking in the back. There's a bus stop in front of the store. Located in the middle of a row of stores/of the building.

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.

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.

CASH OR CHECK ONLY My friend and I stopped by this place because it looked really good in the pictures, and I am glad that we did try it out. The interior has a small, but cozy shop with counters displaying the items of the day. We arrived about an hour before closing, so we were only able to pick out mochi that was still in stock, which was the selection in the picture. Most of the mochi selection had the mochi outside and red bean interior, but the mochi that is in a cube is an entire block of orange flavored mochi (which I enjoyed for the first time). I think that this place is great for fresh and yummy mochi with the best quality and texture around. I will come back for more when I get that mochi craving.

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.

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.

A hole in the wall, mom and pop shop, Sakura-ya is a small mochi store in Gardena on Western. Here and Fugetsudo in Little Tokyo, downtown LA are my favorite mochi stores. My sister likes coming here because they have several selections of manju, which are made from wheat flour, not just mochi. The mochis here taste handmade, and genuinely made with a lot of care. A true gem for traditional Japanese confections. They only take cash and check!! And are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

-- 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?!

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!

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!

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!

*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

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.

Have enjoyed this place 50+ years since I was a kid in high school. No frills in the building, no fancy decorations. Just simple refrigerated display cases with delicious confections. The baker(s) are different (and most likely younger), but the quality and taste are still wonderful. Be sure make your order early around holidays. You need to know when to reserve so you don't miss out when you want it. They run out quickly. And they're only open a few days a week.

The mochi here is fantastic. Sometimes they run out and close early so I'd recommend calling if you're coming late in the day.

Fancy & sweet mochi, good variety, price is cheap, the service is very nice and friendly, healthy food

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!

Wanted to try something different. This is an interesting mix of Louisiana craw dad boil with a Thai twist. I ordered the crab and shrimp combo. It came with corn and andouille sausage, which surprised me because it had a spicy bite to it. Everything was very flavorful and I will be back. Peace was the name of my server... nice young man.