Nisshodo is an old-school mom-and-pop shop making handmade mochi treats. Tucked away among warehouses not far from Costco and the airport, it's easy to miss--but I always make a point to stop here and bring home mochi as souvenirs for family. It never disappoints! They make some of the softest, pillowy mochi you'll ever have. Their most popular is the chi chi dango, individually wrapped like little candies. But don't miss the lychee, lilikoi, and Melona flavors either! read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Love the chichi dango. The last few times the flavored mochi was lumpy and the flavor tasted artificial. Still highly recommend their chichi dango which has not changed. We grab lbs to bring home and they keep well. read more

Every time I'm here I make sure to hit this place Chichidango was so soft almost melts Also tried the peanut butter mochi The people are always polite and helpful Love the old school feel no need to be a Fancy the product does all the work for them read more

Best wagashi on O'ahu! The chi chi dango are soft sweet pillows and the daifuku is filled with different flavored filling. Our favorite is the peanut butter. They also have senbei that are nice and crunchy. Call for large orders but they have pre-packed boxes of chi chi dango or daifuku. It's a hidden gem located near the Kapalama canal. Turn down a small lane behind the strip mall, nestled among warehouse buildings-look for a small door. Your efforts will not be wasted! read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I finally got around to trying this place and it did not disappoint! With the exception of location and accessibility this place is great! The 2 older woman working there were so sweet and patient. Since it was my 1st time I wanted to try everything lol. I ordered 2 of almost everything they had and it was all delicious! I would have never even known this place existed if not for Yelp. It is hidden in the back of what looks like a warehouse on Dillingham Blvd. Parking is rough with most stalls being off reserved by other businesses in the same complex. I must say it was worth the trip because the mochi was so soft and fresh! The flavors really came through and my favorites were the melon and lychee but everything was good. I tried the manju as well but would probably pass on that next time as it was a little dry for my liking. Other than that A+ in my book! read more

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What's your favorite... Walking into this cherished Kalihi biz it's difficult to choose which one will it be with so many to choose from though I'm plain and simple the classic chichi dango is it for me as this pink and white delicately wrapped treat has been my personal favorite for years. Rarely been able to make it here in time as they do close early at 2pm and is best to call in to secure your treats the staff here is fantastic with putting it all together for you though not everything available is found in the display case though I couldn't resist a pre packed chichi dango after bringing a friend here to pick up her order. Especially during holidays and for special events call in your order to avoid long lines and disappointment as it does sell out fast as it's popularity peaks for events or just craving that unique flavor that they have here as this tiny shop does make our mochi cravings happy. Thank you! read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Craving for something sweet & yummy?! Stopped by this local favorite mochi shop to grab some snacks. Located in an industrial vibe area but once inside, it's clean and bright. Service was quick and friendly. New flavors to try so we bought a couple of the variety packs with Lilikoi, Ube, Coconut to name a few. Hubby also bought his favorite manju and big daifuku mochi. A must to visit if you love mochi!! read more

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Chichi Dango sounds like the name of a Latina spitfire drag queen in WeHo, but it's actually a sweet, chewy mochi-like dessert made of mochiko, sugar, and coconut milk. They sell it at this longtime purveyor in the working class Kalihi-Palama neighborhood of Honolulu. I didn't find it through the the local vloggers on YouTube but rather on PBS Hawaii. Over a century old, this shop is in a nondescript warehouse, and Jamie W and I found it hidden away past a strip mall parking lot off Dillingham Blvd. Once we found it, the first thing we saw was a display case with quite a colorful variety of mochi and manju (Photo 4). They're all handmade presumably in the back in a variety of flavors. Mochi obsessed as I can be at times, I'm a big fan of Fugetsu-do in LA's Little Tokyo (review: https://yelp.to/EdYg8c472o) and Shuei-do in San Jose (review: https://yelp.to/RhTowlZ6Jx). By comparison, the operation appears much more focused on the Hawaiian palate for sweets by keeping the pillow shapes relatively identical. The one key exception is the Chichi Dango which they wrap like pulled taffy and sell by the dozen in plain and fruit flavors (Photo). Of course we bought a box and then went to town with four different mochi flavors: peanut butter (yellow), coconut (pink), lilikoi (purple), melona (green). Ten in total since we didn't want to appear like gluttons. Meanwhile, the regulars were buying armfuls of these treats with no hesitation. Our total bill came to $22.25, a bargain for these softly seductive and addictive delights. RELATED - Exploring Hawaii? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/6tFxzIJSFk read more

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Wife said they have great candy and mochi so we went. I don't have much of a sweet tooth but the candy my wife got was tasty and the mochi soft and chewy. Place was a bit hard to find. Located inside an industrial looking street mall? Anyway go try it. read more

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The mochi at this place is so soft tender and fresh! We love it! Hard to find but worth it. read more

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Authentic local mochiya with freshly made mochi, manju, chichidango and senbei. Nisshodo mochi is my favorite here in Hawaii. Perfectly sized and perfect ratio of mochi to filling. The mochi is soft with the right amount of chew. While they do have some more "modern" flavors, I prefer the tsumami white bean filling which is smooth and has just the right sweetness. The coconut filled mochi is also a fave. Simple storefront hidden away in a block of warehouses, you have to know this local treasure is there. Friendly aunties at the counter patiently answer any questions and take your order. A box of fresh mochi or chichidango always makes for a good gift when visiting friends on the mainland. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Tsumami (green) coconut (pale pink) peanut butter (yellow) red bean (dark pink) lilikoi (purple) - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We discovered Nisshodo Candy, a small, cozy mochi shop. It's like hidden gem in the middle of warehouse area. When we walked in, two sweet aunties welcomed us and explained all the different mochi flavors. We were lucky because the melon mochi had just come out when we arrived. We immediately bought some, along with a few other flavors. I honestly wanted to try everything, but we had just eaten and only came for a light dessert. The small candy-style mochi completely surprised me. The texture was incredibly smooth and literally melted in your mouth even softer than cotton candy. They kindly reminded us that they open 7am-2pm and only closed Sunday. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Melon mochi red bean mochi manju - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Although it's a small shop the mochi was fresh, service was 4 star rated because we were greeted with a smile and willingness to explain the different colors. We enjoyed the mochi this morning with our coffee and it was soft while delicate to the touch and savory to our palates. We decided to order a dozen and tried different flavors. Loved the authenticity of the location. Congratulations on surviving and continuing the legacy of mochi making in Hawaii. 100 years deserves 5 star recognition. read more

Recently mochi and Manju are Not the same as it was before either they are losing the touch or the person who's making it seem not trained enough decently needs more training Definitely not Number one mochi store anymore and the last time I bought Kashiwa mochi called Boys Day mochi was Terrible It's not good enough to give away to anyone And I usually get dozens of boxes to give away luckily for me I bought only one ahead knowing quality was going downhill for a while now It's been a while since I have bought one but yesterday I did many of them quantity has gone down and taste is not good and too dry no moisture and texture has gone down to Hate to see my favorite thing about to go out of business will be a Sad thing indeed read more

Chichi dango is a soft, slightly sweet, chewy mochi wrapped in twisted white or pink paper and is a best seller at Nisshodo Candy Store. Opened in 1821, the store's name reflects the meaning of the "sun never sets," which perhaps reflects the business' longevity and prosperity. Asataro Hirao emigrated from Japan to HI more than 100 years ago to work on the sugar plantation, and together with two of his friends who also emigrated with him, decided to start their own business. (FUN FACT: the 3 friends decided to go their separate ways, and one of the founders of this business in Jokichi Tasaka, founder of Tasaka Guri Guri Shop in Maui.) Asataro decided to make sticky rice-based sweets known as mochi, which he mastered in Hiroshima, Japan. Originally housed in an old 2-story building next to Aala Park, the building was heavily damaged by fire, and the business was moved to Dillingham Blvd and Kokea St in Kalihi where it is today. The 3-generation Hirao Family has been running the business, with his son Richard taking over after Asataro passed away, and now son Mike after his dad Richard retired as a banker in private business and at Nisshodo. Mike started working in the store at age 5 with his grandfather, folding boxes and alerting family of customers in front and later made mochi after high school graduation. While he admits his kids are not interested in taking over the business due to the manual work and long hours; however, there appears to be a lot of outside interest in wanting to continue this legacy. The recipes have stayed the same since the beginning of the business, as with making of the mochi and other confections by hand and taught by Mke's grandfather. It started with a focus on the candy business due to a longer shelf life; however, WWII made it difficult to get candy ingredients, so Nisshodo settled on mochi and manju. While some of the equipment have been upgraded, fillings of red bean paste are still made from scratch in 50 lb batches that require heavy lifting and carrying. Tropical flavors, e.g., lychee, lilikoi, pineapple, and coconut, have been added with the traditional red bean pastes to keep up with the trends of changing tastes. Additional flavors added include: melon, peanut butter, green tea, strawberry, blueberry, orange, with bits of dried fruit in the latter two flavors. You can only get these flavors at this shop, as Marukai and Don Quijote only sell their pink and white chichi dango. Staff is knowledgeable of its products and efficient in preparing your order. Many people, myself included, slows down the ordering process by not knowing what to order due to the many new flavors that have been added. Preordering would eliminate this process, as your order will be ready for pickup; however, you will still have to wait in line for your turn. Orders of 18 to 22 pieces of pink or white chichi dango that are soft, sweet and lightly dusted with potato starch, and then placed in a white box with a red ribbon and ready for omiyage giving to friends and family. I've seen customers order stacked boxes for omiyage gifts to the Neighbor Islands. The small shop is difficult to find, as it's housed in one of many gray-colored industrial warehouses at this Dillingham Blvd complex. It only has a simple faded sign that spells out mochi and manju. Its small interior simply has a display case showing its colorful mochi and manju. But local residents know where they are, and tourists using social media, seek them out for authentic experiences. Plus, Japanese tourists and journalists wanted to find out the "roots" of the shop owners to see how their successors are doing in the world. As such, there is a steady stream of customers throughout the day. It gets especially busy on certain holidays when mochi is used as part of the celebration: New Year's Day, Girls' Day (Mar 3), and Children's Day (May 5). Nisshodo helps to perpetuate local Japanese culture through their candy products. All orders must be pre-ordered for pick up for these holidays. People will be waiting outside due to the small store space. Hours of operation are from Mon to Sat 7a to 2p and Sun closed. There are 2 free assigned parking spaces right in front, and you can temporarily park in other spaces in the lot as long as you are not blocking others. Yes, there are other mochi and manju competitors, but Nisshodo holds its own via its 100+ family history and old-school traditions. I hope this small family-owned business located in a warehouse continues to thrive for many more years! Support local! read more

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Tucked away in the shopping center, Nisshodo is still one of my favorites to visit when I'm back home. The lilikoi mochi has the right amount of sweetness and tart, and is my number one. The texture of their mochi is soft and the right amount of chewiness, and they generally melt in your mouth. The space itself is just big enough to fit 4 customers at a time, but that is no problem as the service has always been top notch and quick. You can place bigger orders for advance, or check out what they have in the showcase during the day. read more

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Wow wow wow! I've always been right next to Nisshodo and didn't know until I was leaving island so I had to go! I'm very glad I did. It is a little hidden, but there is plenty of parking. It's a little shop, with lots of mochi to choose from. I got one of each flavor. It was so fresh, so chewy! The lime, coconut, lilikoi, and peanut butter were my absolute favorites. I would come here for mochi consistently now that I know! Don't miss out. The woman working was so nice, and helpful. For all of it, it was $18. They also had pre packaged variety packs. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This establishment is kind of hidden and was hard to find du to construction in the area. But I'm so glad I found it. This place was recommended by a friend so I added it to my bookmarks. I've never had regular mochi before. I've always been used to the ice cream mochi. I ordered one of each flavor and I made a mistake of sharing with my husband. All of them were so good but I think my favorites were the coconut and the lychee. I think this is going on my list of must visit places every time I come back to Oahu. Service was quick and the staff were nice. I should have ordered some chichi dango but there's always next time. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We bought it for the celebration of life. Our friends love it so much! My son's friend who never ate mochi they are from the mainland station here they love it the softnesses of the mochi. I remember when I was young eating their mochi the texture and softness never forgot. I believe their mochi are outstanding only in Honolulu we are able to enjoy and eat their mochi not even Japanese confectionery can match their unique softness! I Highly recommend Nisshodo mochi for any occasion. They have other great mochi delicacies as well. Their store factory is a bit hidden a hole in wall on Dillingham Blvd but using your navigator you won't miss it! Ample parking right in front of their store. read more

Located in what looked like a warehouse, this small candy shop sells mochi, manju, and chichi dango. For their mochi, they have flavors like lychee, lilikoi, green tea, and coconut, although some flavors may be seasonal. My friend and I decided to get 4 different mochis to try the lychee, lilikoi, green tea, and melona. The mochi texture was the perfect chewiness and the fillings all had great flavors that were accurate to what they were advertised to taste like (for example, the melona tasted like the melona popsicle bar). We also got a few chichi dango, which they're known for, and they did not disappoint either in texture! If you don't know what to get, they also have some pre-set boxes with an assortment of different mochis, manjus, and chichi dangos. Note that they have a $10 card minimum, so bring cash if you don't plan to buy a lot of pieces. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Lychee, Green Tea, Melona, Lilikoi, and 4 Chichi Dangos - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

When my friend mentioned taking me to eat mochi when I visited, I was icky expecting to eat one because I don't love mochi.... But wow! She's local so she knows exactly where to go. We got a variety box but my favorite was anything with red bean. Excellent texture. The outside was so soft. Usually mochi has a lot of outside and less filling but these had a perfect ratio. The colors are beautiful too! What a gem!! read more

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I've seen these at DonQui, but we went all the way to the factory after hearing that their chi-chi dango is THE BEST. Well, I'm from California and I'm proud to say, we have a few VERY FAMOUS manju places that can very well hold their own and have been in business for over ~60 years, so they are obviously doing something right. I know everything is more expensive in Hawaii, but here, considering the price AND size of the individual pieces, including the mochi & manju... I'm not a fan. Possibly ALSO because the lady who helped us acted like she didn't have time. Maybe having a bad day or in a grumpy mood, but totally turned me off also, so after spending $29 here, I probably won't be back. read more

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If you happen to be by Costco, this is a great spot to stop by for chichidango! I ended up using it as topping for my shaved ice. Loved all their flavors and variety of mochi. The lilikoi and lychee mochi were so unique, but the coconut was probably my favorite. read more

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I bought 5 boxes of chi chi dango to bring home with me to California on Wednesday. One of the boxes I was going to give my sister had mold in it by Saturday. I never had this happen and I have purchased mochi form this many, many times before. Come if think of it the box we ate ourselves was a little dryer than usual. So, I am thinking the mochi we bought on Wednesday was already pretty old. I have noticed a decline in quality with their filled mochis over the years and it's not as soft as it used to be. Service has always been rude and cold (like tough love mentality) but I just thought that was part of it. I probably won't be coming back again. read more

Did not even know about this hidden mochi shop. I actually was trying to turn around in this parking lot to avoid the crazy traffic on Dillingham. I decided to go inside and found a very nice place to shop for a variety of mochi. I didn't want to get a lot in case I didn't like it. So I bought the assorted dozen. When I got home and tried it, I thought dang, should've got more. It's really good. Will definitely return. Aloha. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Assorted dozen mixed mochi - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Mochi still soft and yummy. Peanut butter, an and chichi mochi favorites but i wanna try the rest. Got the coconut, flavor is good but has stredded coconuts inside, i prefer something soft like the mochi but still tasted good. I called in the order and it was all boxed and ready to go. I should stop by more often, so yummy. read more

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Easy to find, parking was nerve racking but there's actually more stalls towards the back. Delicious mochi flavors! Me and my sister enjoyed the peanut butter. Great idea as a gift to someone who enjoys mochi or just sweets in general. Came during the last hour of their store hours and they still had many options. Still would recommend to call ahead if you're heading there for a specific flavor. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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One of my favorite mochi spots! I've been to Honolulu twice and both times I've made it a point to make a stop here. Located outside of the city, but near the airport, a must stop! I've seen folks ordering their dango for the airport to gift to loved ones - you know it's good when someone's willing to cross an ocean with a sweetly wrapped box. It's a small space, but the service is quick and kind. The ladies working in the back are always kind and get your goodies to you efficiently. Lots of different yummy fillings surrounded by gooey mochi goodness. My favorite was definitely the box of dango. It was hard not to snack on my flight home. Will come back again! read more

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Tucked away in an unassuming building near Honolulu Airport, Nisshodo Candy Store is a local treasure that's been making handmade mochi and manju since 1930. The moment you step inside, the aroma of sweet rice and red bean paste wraps around you like a warm hug. Mochi - chewy perfection--subtly sweet and always fresh. The **peanut butter mochi** is a game changer, and the **assorted boxes** are perfect for gifting (or not sharing at all!). It's cash only and often sells out early, so come prepared and come early. Don't let the modest exterior fool you--this little shop is pure mochi magic. read more

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A total hole in the wall mom and mom feel of a place where these sweet ladies run the show. Each piece is about $1.25 and not much more and they are so fresh and good! There are very rarely any mochi specializing stores in the US. So it's amazing. read more

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I love this little mochi shop that's been around for a very long time. It's a little hole in the wall place with no frills. It's my favorite place for mochi on the island. Their recipes are from their grandfather in Hiroshima, Japan. Their mochi is always so fresh and soft. I love all their mochi! Everything is fabulous. It's located in an obscure place by other warehouses. I always buy 1lb of the chi chi dango which is about $13 and always try different flavors of mochi when I'm there. This time my favorite was the coconut mochi. Their mochi pieces are $1.25 each. They have always had reasonable prices. read more

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Hole in the walls! This is more like, hole in an industrial park. Wonderful selection of mochi with different fillings. My favorite is peanut butter. Once I get my hands on these, they don't last very long. I wanted to take some home with me but they had no chance of making it home at all! Casual. No seating. Parking is limited. Please come and create your own experience. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This place has been known as a "chichi dango" long time and I had many times but I've never been here. Finally, I had a chance to visit this place. I and my husband came here just about afternoon on Saturday. It's a very tiny place. There are some parking spots front of the store, but I think weekday is hard to park because neighbor business open. (Even on Saturday we barely got our parking spot) but customers come and go, so no worries. Inside the store, there is a mochi showcase in the front and right side of the counter, there are already boxed 1lb of chichi dango. Well, it was first time to visit so, when I was asked "what you want?!" I couldn't answer immediately. For the regular customer they knew what they want, but I need time what they have and how I order,,, Well, we ordered two of each from top of the shelf mochi, 1lb of regular chichi dango, and 1lb of fruits mix assorted(orange, blueberry, and strawberry chichi dango. (Forgot to take all of them pictures) Actually, we took them for small family gathering and everybody loves chichi dango. Then little leftover we took home. Next morning, when I tried to eat green tea mochi, my mother-in-law told me when she tried having green tea mochi she felt mold flavor. So I smelled it( my sense of smell is very sharp), oh year, smelled mold. We were surprised in 24 hours purchased, already molded!? read more

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mochi, mochi, and mochi.... just a bit sad only a few parking stalls in front and they were all taken. Luckily, had someone wait in the car while I ran in. The other nearby stalls have reserved on them as they are in front of other businesses. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - yummmm - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Got to finally try this famous mochi store and I was not disappointed! Their mochi is so soft here. We got all of their flavors and they all tasted fantastic and fresh. My favorite was the red bean one (azuki). Great flavor! read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Always has the best Mochi, chichi dango and great customer service! I have sent many people to them ever since I learned of their yummy treats. read more

Hardly a store, such an unassuming warehouse location but they really do have the best, softest mochi! My boyfriend took me here and it was a dim, cozy store in a strip of warehouse buildings. They had a very simple selection of mochis. My favorite was the peanut butter, while my boyfriend loved the chichi dango. There is just one person working so it could take some time but well worth it! read more

First heard of this mochi store which is on Dillingham Blvd off the Blvd in between auto paint shops in the industrial zone, so the first time you go set your gps & you'll be able to find the store easily the next time. Well worth going to as you can find freshly made mochi, chi chi dango& many types of handmade Japanese candies & goodies. Surprised at the variety & if you need omiyage( gifts for family & friends) this is your place to go to. Service is prompt & store is clean. Parking is limited, due to lack of, & industrial area. Recommend you check Nisshodo Candy store out ! No pics this time! read more

I'm a fan of this store and bring people from out of town often. The ChiChi Dango is my favorite and I always buy a box or two so my friends can try it and aren't tentative about buying. Usually they eat what they buy before they leave making another trip to the store so they can take some home. If they have the melon (honeydew) it's always a favorite. The store is like a giant garage with a counter showing the manju and mochi. Parking is fronting the business. Hours 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM closed on Sunday. read more

Nisshodo Candy Store - Yummy - Candy Stores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I would recommend this place to mochi/ chi chi dango lovers. It's a small shop and it can feel a little rushed especially since they get pretty busy and feels like you are holding everyone up. We got a box of chi chi dango and 6 of each flavor for the stuffed mochi. The azuki filled ones are my favorite, not a huge fan of all the other flavors. The chi chi dango is more on the soft side (some people might prefer more firm, I enjoy both soft and firm). I recommend eating same day as it does get a bit hard or chewy next day. I was a little disappointed in the manju. It looked really good but it was not like other manju's I have had. It could be because it was lime bean, I may have to go back early next time to try the Azuki manju. read more