An absolute hole-in-the-wall type place that my friend Cindy introduced me to. She knew that I recently moved to the South Bay area and wanted to take me here after our little lunch date. I was so surprised by the location because from the outside, it looks a little run down and I don't imagine myself stumbling across this place unless if I was looking real hard for it, but I was so happy to have come here. First off, I've heard not from my friend Cindy but also another friend that this is probably the most tastiest, hand-made mochi spot. They have an array of delicious mochi desserts ranging from matcha flavored to the more generic snow mochi with red bean as well. I was stuffed from my lunch but managed to grab three different types of mochi and I cannot wait to go back again to try the other flavors. We found parking on the main street, but also noticed that there's a neighborhood in the back where you can park and walk over. read more

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Cash or check only! I'm all about supporting mom-and-pop shops, but the quality doesn't seem to be there anymore and like everything else, the cost keeps going up. I recently placed an order for a 20 piece box of kiku manju. While I was picking up my order, I picked out an assortment of 5 additional pieces. My total was $85. In my opinion it didn't taste as fresh as before and there were hard pieces of mochi that I had to spit out of the orange mochi. read more

Went on a Sunday around lunch time and they weren't busy and still had a good selection. We got 4 mochi pieces for $13.50 (around $3.40 each). We tried the original red bean mochi, kinako and orange mochi. All of the mochi was very fresh and soft. I wasn't a fan of the orange flavor, it was too concentrated for me. The kinako powder's roasted flavor was a good balance to the sweet mochi and red bean. And the red bean was pretty standard! The worker was helpful about answering food allergy questions however, he did seem unsure at some points which was a little worrisome. read more

CASH ONLY Ever since 1960, just as good as the Japantown mochi shop Fugetsu-Do Bakery but we have something in Gardena/Torrance area Food 5/5 Amazing fresh buttery soft mochi! - White mochi 5/5 Classic traditional mochi with whole sweet azuki filling! - Kinako mochi 5/5 Kinako-powdered yomogi mochi with smooth azuki filling! - Maruyaki with peanut 4/5 Baked peanut manju with azuki filling! Ambience 4/5 Old school vibes inside, its a throwback into time Parking 4/5 Usually ample FREE parking in the front Service - 4/5 Friendly service no issues at all read more

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We always come here before we go back home! We buy mochi for the road and to gift our friends when we get back to the Bay Area. Remember to bring cash! I always make sure I have cash on me. The mochi is always fresh, yummy, and soooo soft! We love visiting this local shop! read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

Visited after lunch. Can find convenient street parking right in front! There is also a parking lot in the back. Walking in, honestly my first impression of this place is that they seem like a struggling local business. Which makes me sad and hope they're doing okay! All their mochi is showcased in just one specific see through cabinet. Everything else inside this shop just seems very outdated. My friends and I ended up getting the same mochi, which was the kinako mochi. 1 mochi is $3.40, cash only. It's kind of awkward if you want to enjoy the mochi in-store, just cause it's pretty small and quiet, and no where really to sit. It's best to enjoy it outside or bring it back home. First bite into the kinako mochi, it was really good! It does feel very small in your hand, but you can finish it within 3 petite bites. The red bean filling is not too sweet, the mochi is very soft. The nuttiness was also very nice. I would say, the mochi is kind of tooo soft, I wish it had more of a chewy bounce too it. Overall, still pretty nice. I was glad to see that right when we were eating our mochi outside, there were more people coming in. read more

Sakura-ya - 3 Kinako Mochis - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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Craving a Japanese dessert, we came across Sakura-ya an off the beaten path family run mochi store. We were pleasantly surprised with the variety and freshness of the mochi and ordered the orange, pink and kinako. All were tasty and fresh, reminiscent of our days eating mochi in Japan. We'll be back! read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

Was in the Gardena area and decided to stop by after not coming for a few years. I remember this being the best mochi place even though it was a hole a on the wall. Upon walking in, there was only one person managing the front (which was fine as there doesn't seem to be much foot traffic) and one person in the back. Although the front was friendly, the price of the mochi has gone up quite a bit and the quality seems to have gone down. In my opinion it's just not worth the price anymore. The best flavor is still orange and I found many of the red bean filled ones to be lacking. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

Was craving some mochi and stumbled upon Sakura-ya. When we arrived we thought we had the wrong location because the building that it was located in didn't look like it sold mochi. They are a cash or check only establishment. They don't accept credit or debit cards. We ordered the green and pink mochi and the manju mochi. The mochis were all so yummy. The pink mochi was our favorite. It had a white paste inside and it wasn't too sweet either. All the mochis weren't too sweet and were soft and slightly chewy. The green mochi and manju had red bean paste in it. Both were also pretty good! Service was okay. I didn't feel a friendly vibe towards the lady helping us but maybe she had a long day so not going to take it personally. Aside from that, I would definitely return to try their other mochi flavors! There is plenty of parking in the back lot shared with other businesses. read more

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

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Freshest mochi! It's a tiny shop and you can tell it's still family run. I love supporting small businesses. Just a heads up it's cash only!

If you're a first timer like me, you might be doubtful entering the store just like my experience as it's not like the door was open or you could peek through from outside. Nonetheless that's probably the way you knew it's legit as the store didn't even come in gorgeous presentation or whatsoever. Just simple showcases and an attendant, with cash-only payment. Nothing looked fancy, but abundant options of both mochi and manju. If you're not familiar, prolly simplest way to differentiate is mochi comes in chewy texture while manju is more soft bread-alike. The filling they offered varied from red bean, white bean, even black one! I got their Kinako Mochi filled with black bean and covered in soy bean powder. One bite and WOW IT WAS BOMB! So good and totally cured my craving for the ones I had in Japan. I could totally tell the quality was stellar and it's fully stuffed with luscious filling making the price tag paid certainly worth. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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When I want GOOD, FRESH mochi I head on down to Sakura-ya. Like a lot of places that make their goods on site Sakura-ya can sell out or if you go later in the day find that some of your favorites aren't available. No matter what, whatever mochi or manju you get, you won't be disappointed. I got here on a Friday around 2:30 and there were still some good options but ultimately my friend and I settle on 6 pieces--two chocolate manju, 1 peanut manju, 1 inaka manju, 1 orange mochi, and 1 pink mochi. The azuki beans used in the manju are some of the best I've ever had. Perfect blend of bean pieces mixed with azuki bean paste! And the mochi! OMG, softest rice around. I love holding the mochi in hand. It's heavy in that wonderful way that mochi should be dense. Sakura-ya is a staple in Gardena and the interior of the shop shows the years of dedication to making delicious manju and mochi. Glass counters, wooden shelves, lighting that hasn't changed in years...it's perfect. read more

Sakura-ya - Top row--two chocolate manju, 1 orange mochi Bottom row--peanut manju, pink mochi, inaka manju - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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! read more

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

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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! read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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 read more

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You can definitely taste the freshness in the mochi here--soft, pillowy, clearly handmade with care. We came later in the day, so the selection was a bit picked over (note to self: come earlier next time). Wasn't the biggest fan of the orange mochi Overall, good mochi! But if I'm being honest, I still prefer Fugetsu-Do for the full experience. That said, if you're in the area, Sakura-ya is worth a visit--just maybe aim for earlier in the day for the best picks. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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! read more

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I've been wanting to come here forever so I'm glad I could finally stop by. A lot of the mochi was tempting but we each settled on a kinako mochi. The manju was also tempting but I was here for the mochi. At $3.40 each, it's hard to justify getting more than one. Kinako mochi: 8/10. Really soft and fresh. Maybe almost too soft because it had little chew to it. It was still delicious and not too sweet. The person there was super nice and patient as she explained the different types of mochi and manju. Cash or check only. Street parking is easy, but it seems like there's also parking in the back. read more

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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. read more

Sakura-ya - Kinako & Orange Mochi - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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We have been coming to Sakura ya for years ... we travel far it and the last several times so disappointed : price , size and omg this time it was hard like yesterday mochi what happen to this place ? I wouldn't mind the price but the quality went down hill ...so sad , this place brought so many guests memories for me and my whole family.. please bring back the quality aka softness and taste! read more

They offer simple and fresh mochi and manju with no frills packed nicely in a box if you buy a few pieces. They make for a nice hostess gift. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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the softest, freshest mochi i've had from such a lovely family shop! each mochi has a very distinct (but delicate) flavor and are all perfectly sweetened (not that sweet!). the workers were very helpful with explaining the different flavors and were super sweet. it's cash-only and $3.60 each. it's always a treat to find a community staple - come support!!!! read more

Sakura-ya - pink, white, orange mochi - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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This place probably hasn't changed since it first opened in the 1960s. When you are about to open the door, you wonder if this place is even open. It looks THAT old and I think that is one of the coolest things about this place! You don't find many establishments nowadays that look this antiquated. They also take cash only so be prepared. Each mochi is $3.60. I got each of their 5 mochi flavors and ate it while I was in the car. I loved them all so much that I literally went back in to get another round of them before I left LOL I hope this place stays forever! It is such a gem to the community and the mochi they make is second to none! If it helps you understand how good it is.. they make it fresh in house and it is highly recommended to be consumed the same day. Otherwise it doesn't taste as good anymore. read more

Sakura-ya you're still a 5! If you're a new customer, this is a small Mom n Pop shop that takes cash or checks. It's best to get here early that way there's a bigger variety since they are a small shop. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. So with that being said, enjoy fresh mochi and monju at a reasonable price. It may seem expensive but it's really not. It takes time and skill to make these and are well worth it in my opinion. Customer service is always great and they will box your order and add a ribbon if you're buying a box full. It's such a great gift! Thank you for being in business and working so hard still. My family has been coming here for decades and I hope to see it stay open for much longer. read more

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FRESH FRESH SOFT mochi! The rice is softer than competitors, Fugxxx brand, fluffier too. Each piece is a good size. This isn't a fancy place, very old school with limited menu items, the classics. I love the pink mochi with sweet white bean inside. White mochi with sweet red bean. Family likes green tea mochi with sweet red bean. If you prefer plain, they offer orange flavored mochi, no filling. I wish they offered strawberry flavor...maybe someday? The entrance is dark, looks closed, but they are open. They may be closed on Monday and Tuesday. I called in my order the day before. I love how this shop has endured over time, offering a good quality yummy mochi treat. Not many mochi makers are still in business. read more

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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. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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. read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

I've been coming here since they opened in 1960. My parents would come here to buy mochi on a regular basis and for New Year's okasane and yokan. I'm very happy they are still in business. read more

Fresh mochi and manju. Textures and tastes are awesome! Come early otherwise your favorite flavors will sell out. Service is great, old school shop. Delectable treats of old school Japan. read more

This manju ya has been providing the community with manju for many years. It's always fresh and consistently delicious. Our favorite is the orange and kinako. It's our favorite omiyage for friends. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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! read more

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Mochi tasted great but the customer service by the japanese-American lady (and yes, I myself am also japanese American) couldn't be more helpful- a VERY rude lady with no sense of service. Taking my business back to Chikara Mochi down the street. Overall grade: D read more

Sakura-ya - Bakeries Near Me - Gardena, California

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. read more

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. read more

I have been going to Sakura-ya since the 1990's and their orange is still my favorite. The ambiance is charming, vintage 1960's. I grew up helping my mother make mochi and I appreciate the time and effort in making these delicacies. Although the varieties are fewer than in the past, I'm grateful that Sakura-ya continues this tradition and art. Thank you. read more

Loved this place... until I found out they still don't accept credit cards in 2026. That's just ridiculous. Nobody walks around with cash anymore, and it screams tax evasion. Hard pass. They've lost me as a customer for good. read more