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Nippon Ya
Category: Food Specialty Food Candy Stores Candy Stores [Edit]
Kintetsu Mall1737 Post St, Ste 345
San Francisco, CA 94115
Neighborhoods: Japantown, Lower Pac Heights, Pacific Heights
(415) 346-0332
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 7 pm
Thu 11 am - 8 pm
Fri 11 am - 8:30 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 8:30 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
96 reviews for Nippon Ya
Review Highlights
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"Yummy yummy yummy I got mochi in my tummy." In 70 reviews -
"Green tea and fruit treats in summer." In 17 reviews -
"A variety of Japanese snacks such as mochi and candy." In 7 reviews
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96 reviews in English
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Review from Debbie N.
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I highly suggest this box with little packages of grape jelly and grape in it. And the chocolate chocolate mochi in the black box.
Ask the folks at the counter for a sample. They had one kind out for people to try.
There are great gifts for housewarmings, dinner parties or even birthday gifts. -
Review from Erica T.
3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice place to get nice packaged mochi from Japan, but it can not compare to getting fresh made ones down the block from here. I end up getting so much mochi for friends and family that I tend to get free bags of tea... or was it cause my friend knew the owners? **confused look** oh wells! free tea for me!
If you are ever in the need of nice mochi gift to give to someone, this is the place to go! -
Review from Emmeline S.
Berkeley, CA
2/28/2012
Ugh. I like this place so much it pisses me off. As far as packaged mochi goes, Nippon Ya is as good as it gets. The presentation and artistry of all the desserts are so precious that I always (always) get suckered into buying something. It's as if Nippon Ya draws out a Japanese compulsion that normally lies dormant in me. ("Don't like white chestnut mochi? I'll like it when it's shaped to look like a ducky! Kawaii.")
Still, there is no denying that any gift-wrapped Nippon Ya box makes for a great present, in a very affordable price range. (I don't know where the rest of you shop, but where I'm from, $15 for a huge box of "artisanal" authentic desserts = good deal.) This is THE place to go when you need a present to impress (and travel well), but you don't want to spend too much money, nor do you want to lose your street cred as a "foodie." Of course, you may not want to listen to me, because i am infamously known to bipolarly gripe about how mochi is "excessively carby" /cave in every half year and buy a bunch of $2 supermarket boxes of Taiwanese "Milk Mochi" that have no expiration date.
I am also known to indulge in the occasional deep-fried Twinky.
But if that doesn't faze you, heed my word-
The mochi here tastes fresh ( as packaged mochi can be, traveling overseas to reach your shelves), supple and subtly sweet. The flavors are cross-cultural, featuring traditional fillings like adzuki, matcha, yuzu & kurogoma, and Americanized (but equally yummy) fillings, such as banana&white chocolate, strawberry&dark chocolate, etc. And since enjoying food is as much about sight as it is about taste, these treats will be sure to leave you satisfied.
The only thing I would change about Nippon-Ya is the excessive employee bowing. I really wish the white guy who works the cash register wouldn't dip his head to the counter each time he proffers me my package with ramrod straight arms. It makes me feel like I should flip him a silver dollar or something. I get it- we're in Japantown. Benihana is only a few steps away, and everyone is dressed to the nines in goth/steampunk-wear. Still, the gesture feels culturally amiss in a country where eye contact is considered an integral part of customer service.
Bottom Line: A yummy, quirky, budget-friendly cross-cultural experience. -
Review from Cassandra F.
Aurora, CO
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in here to grab some Mochi to take home with me. They have an amazing selection of sweets. I got a Harajuku Mochi strawberry filled chocolate version that was delicious. I only wish there were some combo packs so that I could have tried some other varieties. Only had so much room in the luggage, so I had to choose just one.
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Review from Mona W.
1/9/2012 3 photos
A great place to pick up some gifts. These lovely Japanese treats will certainly put a smile on your recipient's face. Nippon Ya sells regional souvenirs (mostly candies and other edibles) imported from Japan. Similar to those gift shops you found at Tokyo airport. The selection here is much better than most Japanese groceries in the area.
Everything looks adorable and are surprisingly affordable. Mostly less than $10 a box. Good things do come in small packaging. I purchased some usagi manju and Japanese tea for Christmas white elephant and they were big hit among everyone. I bought some yuzu mochi and chocolate mousse candies for myself and they tasted great.
Most of the stuff they sell are seasonal. They always have something different every time I visit. If you found something you like just grab it or you might not see them again until next year. -
Review from Jenny Z.
10/8/2011
Let me begin by saying, I LOVE mochi, and have definitely tried to go out of my way to find authentic and scrumptious mochi in the bay area. Although Benkyodo remains dear and true to my heart, the prepackaged and imported mochi sold at Nippon-ya are also impressive. Don't expect mochi to taste fresh/home-made quality (if you're looking for that, walk two blocks away to Benkyodo), but do expect to get some beautiful, moist and dreamy confections imported from Japan. In contrast to packaged mochi from other places, the ones here neither taste like plastic or are overly sweet.
I would say the prices are reasonably, ranging around $9-12 per box, for 9-12 mochi. So that would be around $1 per mochi. They have boxes offering your standard azuki (red bean paste) mochi, but I'd recommend going for something unique. Since having been introduced to their mochi I have enjoyed and recommend the following:
-strawberry chocolate mochi
-mango daifuku
-bunny cream mochi collection
-green tea white chocolate mochi
I think their offering changes occasionally, depending on their stock availability, However, it's always a treat when I purchase a new box of mochi there. I believe anyone who is a fan of asian confections should drop by if in the area. -
Review from Ally L.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2012
Cute little place. Definitely coming back if I have to get gifts that isn't just your average box of chocolates. They have a sample for you to try at the counter. It was chocolate w/ chocolate filling; it was delicious! I wish they had some more samples so I can taste them, since they are a little pricey and there are so many diff flavors! The plum hard candy that they sell in the little bags are also yummy too.
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Review from Johnny W.
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
A cute little sweets shop tucked away in the Kintetsu Mall, Nippon Ya carries a huge selection of flavored mochi, along with a smaller selection of things like cookies, all packaged in such a way that would suggest they're primarily designed to be souvenirs or gifts (not that one can't treat themselves every so often!). And affordable ones at that, with most boxes here running under $10 each.
As a note, the mochi they carry is of a more unique variety than I'm used to, with fillings such as a cream center surrounded by a layer of flavored red or white bean. Those who are looking for simpler and more traditional mochi may find themselves better off at the nearby Benkyodo Co, which makes excellent, traditional Japanese mochi. -
Review from Traci H.
6/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was staying in Japantown for the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was an amazing event to experience. While there I found this little Japanese sweets store. They import yummy mochi, wafers, and so much more from Japan. This place is a must if you are in the area. They give great service, and can help you find something you will LOVE! Sometimes they even have samples out!
I bought these freeze dried strawberries covered in white chocolate...OMG it was AMAZING! I also got the chocolate strawberry mochi, the Harajuku ones...also AMAZING! They have cute nicknacks too. :D
Overall, I LOVE this place. The price is reasonable too. I'm not from San Francisco, but if ever I go back, you know I will pay that place a visit! -
Review from Venus L.
Ceres, CA
7/16/2011 2 photos
I love this store. It's a cute little hole in the wall stuffed with many boxes of mochi and other delicious things. Don't worry if you can't read the Japanese on some of the boxes. Everything has a sign that says what exactly is in them and what flavors as well as the price. And if you look on the back of the boxes they have the ingredients on the back in English as well as the nutritional value. All the boxes are beautifully wrapped and packaged you don't even want to open them!
They have all the mochi flavors that I like with -reasonable prices-. The Harajuku Chocolate Mochi in the black box comes 16 in a box and the Sesame Mochi Hinokuniya with black bean paste comes 12 in a box. They have various traditional hard candies like konpeito and temari. They have nuts, white chocolate covered freeze-dried strawberries that remind me of malted milk balls, cookies, random little gifts like stuffed animals, keychains, and cute wooden figurines.
I got those two boxes of mochi, two little packages of konpeito, and a package of the white chocolate covered strawberries for around $25.00. -
Review from Victor G.
6/26/2011
Nippon ya sells candies, teas, cookies, nuts, edibles, chocolates, many coming from japan. nippon ya is an hole in the wall in Kintetsu Mall. the goodies are neatly and artfully displayed thruout the small shop.
sampling: harajuku mochi chocolat (12 pieces in colorful box. 8.75 no tax)
-melt in your mouth chocolat flavored mochi with strawberry center
-many varietals available, no mixed ones, all single varietals.
temaki:
-friendly, helpful, courteous service
-items are classily packaged, idea on special occasions as gifts. -
Review from Marissa C.
Oakland, CA
2/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Holy crap! I'm in mochi heaven! I came here on my birthday in search of my birthday present to myself and mochi was all I wanted and mochi is what I got! The tasty treats in here remind me of my trip to Japan as a child with all the beautifully wrapped boxes and delectable looking sweets. While these are not gourmet mochi, the sheer variety is staggering and the price more than affordable.
The service here was sort of ho-hum like the cashiers (there were three people behind the counter) really just wanted to go home. They were definitely not interested in helping me on my evening mochi quest. Nor anywhere near as excited as I was, haha!
Good location though, with easy parking and easy access. -
Review from Mike L.
12/8/2010
The last time I was in Japan, the whole experience was pretty damn awesome. Checking out the sites, eating plenty of good food, almost drinking too much free sake and plum wine at 9:00am at a sake factory...loads of fun! Probably the worst part of the trip though, was trying to get everything to fit in my luggage for the flight home. Who knew that a few bags of tea leaves, snacks, and mochi could take up so much space? So, imagine my simultaneous joy and dismay that in the middle of J-Town, there's a shop that sells almost the same type of stuff that I had to cram into my luggage.
From chocolates and candies, to assorted varieties of mochi, Nippon Ya is practically a one stop shop for so many different sorts of Japanese confections. It's perfect for the tourists that roll on through to get an authentic taste of Japanese sweets while in SF. But better yet, it's the perfect way to get your tasty treats home without having to cram them into your suitcase next to your dirty laundry (mmm....yum).
Plus, it's perfect for when you realize you forgot to bring something back from Japan for that one friend who you know will bitch you out for not getting them a souvenir. Or, for those of you that want to pretend that you've even been to Japan in the first place as well. ;) -
Review from Melinda Y.
San Leandro, CA
Whenever I see this store, I'm overcome with glee -- seeing the fully-stocked walls of yummy deliciousness! A sight for sore eyes for the beholder of an empty stomach. There was such a huge selection. Many different boxes and types to choose from.
I prefer Nippon Ya (over Minamoto) for my Japanese confections, since I have an affinity for mochi -- in a variety of flavors in beautifully-wrapped boxes. They're ideal for gifting, like yourself (!). I bought myself green tea mochi and mango. You definitely get more bang for your buck, 30 mochi for $10?! That's unthinkable in a shop like Minamoto, where one large one costs $3 each. -
Review from Cindy K.
4/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best place to get authentic mochi! And it's very reasonably priced. I don't know how they do it but the mochi is still super soft and tasty. The packaging is good too.
My favorite is the banana white chocolate mochi. Yum! Just picked up a box of strawberry and chocolate mochi. Can't wait to try it.
I wish they gave samples so we could try before we buy, but I guess they would lose some money if they did that.Listed in: Itadakimasu
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Review from Jennifer V.
Aurora, CO
11/2/2011
I always stop by here when I'm in town. The beautifully wrapped boxes and candy selection remind me of the little airport kiosks in Narita. You pay a higher prices here then getting mochi at the grocers but its all about presentation.
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Review from Christine C.
San Francisco, CA
I'm the fool that hand lugged a shopping bag of matcha (green tea) mochi, other omiyage and green tea all the way home from Tokyo.
Why do that when you can get it right here at Nippon-Ya?
So the next time I bring a matcha mochi with red bean filling as a hostess gift and tell you it's straight from Tokyo, I might not be telling the truth. -
Review from Denise L.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2011 1 photo
Mediocre at best.
The people that praise Nippon Ya obviously haven't been to Benkyodo!
I bought the $15 variety mochi pack. I'd give a solid 4-stars for the walnut-topped mochi and the black sesame seed covered mochi. However, I wasn't a fan of the pink (peach?) one and the mini mochi (on a stick) covered with brown powder. -
Review from natalie n.
Seattle, WA
2/10/2011
Love this store! Much more affordable (though less fresh and fancy) than Minamoto Kitchoan, I inevitably find myself here every time I'm back in SF to buy some Japanese sweets to bring back home with me. These are the types of boxes you'll find at Japanese airports, tasty souvenirs to gift or enjoy yourself.
They don't always have my favorite (green tea mochi with red bean paste), but offer a variety of sweets to try out, mostly different types of mochi but also chocolates. If you never had mochi (glutinous rice cakes) before, you might be better served going to the nearby supermarket Nijiya and buying an individual piece since the boxes can be quite large. They are chewy, a different type of sweet, and taste great with tea.
In my last trip, they gave an extra box of goodies for liking their page on FB, so here's hoping they continue to run some extra deals for their fans! -
Review from Sean M.
8/3/2011
When I need a guaranteed smile from my girls, I buy anything from this shop in J-Town. chocolate, mochi, doesn't matter. I know it will taste great and be appreciated. Each box or container is already gift wrapped saving me loads of time. The prices are reasonable too!
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Review from Cryszilla G.
Sunnyvale, CA
This place is absolutely a Mochi heaven. one of my favorite place to visit in japantown. love the packaging and details on their boxes. If you love mochi and other Japanese sweets.. You gotta check this place out. don't hesitate to ask questions to the ladies over there cos they will surely help you out...
**cheaper too** -
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2009
A truly unique Japanese treats shop, shopping here makes me think of being in a Japanese department store's food department. They carry fancy Japanese mochi, cakes, cookies, candy and tea in pretty containers, perfect for gift giving. The mochi is the ultra fancy kind you don't see at Nijiya, Mitsuwa or other stores in the area. These tasty goodies come from all over Japan, e.g., Hokkaido pudding cakes, castella cakes, crepe cookies, mochi filled with chocolate, rice cookies, mochi with crispy rice on the outside, red bean mochi galore.
Everything is dainty and usually individually wrapped. Most of the items have plastic model displays (so cute). Some of the confections (like the banana kind) are labeled limited edition. Packages start at $6 and up - most are under $30. -
Review from Nobu K.
San Francisco, CA
2/28/2008
I was always walking by this place and thinking, " What the FXXX, Who is buying the old Japo sweets things. I go Benkyo-Do in stead to get fresh made sweets. I never come here for sure."
Benkyo-Do closes 5 pm sharp!
My taxing woman, she is an old Japanese lady, went to Japan few weeks ago. When she was there, she fell and hit her hip born hard, didn't break it but she was hurt badly.
She is just came back in here and doing my tax so I decided to bring something for Omi-mai= visit, inquire her health.
So, I went to Benkyo-Do 1st but it was too late, 10 minuts after 5!
Benkyo-Do is great because fresh made and pick whatever I want and they have a little pink paper box and wrapping shit.
Benkyo-Do is So Parfect the situation that I was in.
I love Benkyo-Do from bottom of my heart but it was closed.
I was sucked!
Flower? Flower dies and gets dirty and she isn't my GF.
I didn't know what to do.
So, I just walk down into the J-town building and I stopped right front of this place again.
And I said, " Shit."
But I walked in.
There are so many good Japanese sweet stuff.
I found a nice box of Maccha Yohkan set. $14.
I think I know this thing must be about 6 bucks in Japan, but looks nice enough to be 14 just because you don't see this kind in here.
Cute design too.
Yohkan= bean jelly,
but,
Yokan= hunch,
Yakan= kettle or late night,
And, they have a special wrapping cloth for $1.50!
( if you bring something and just wrapping will be $2.50)
THAT"S RIGHT.
WRAPPING JAPANESE WAY!
This was FXXXin' cool. When I give the Yokan box with the cute wrapping to the taxing woman, she said to me, " Oh, You just got back from Japan too?"
Wrapping is a big deal in Japan.
Have you been any department store and purchase in Japan?
Especially basement, is always food department, they wrap so fast and so precise! I always feel guilty to open it.
Anyway, I Thank Nippon-Ya.
She loved it.
You made my day.
P.S., there is a cute Asian girl who took a Wrapping class!
Julie K. from NY said, " YES! once I took a class for it in Korea! Wrapping is a big deal in Korea, too!"
Wrapping class? Should I?
Btw, if you are a guy who has a Japo girl friend, get a good Yohkan. I think Yohkan is a KILLER for Japo ladies. You might get lucky.
"Hana yori Dango!"Listed in: Authentic Japanese in SF, Japan Town!
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Review from Bucky K.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2008
I have a buddy who is an Asian Fetishist weirdly enough. The problem is that he is also uncomfortable around women. It's seriously painful watching the whole ordeal. For some odd reason, he thought it would help him integrate into their society if he held an Asian Snack Party. I'm not sure if I see the reasoning here, but I guess talking about snacks is better than talking about recent tax laws when you are trying to score a date.
Now, me being the good friend that I am decided to fight my original notion which was to not attend this event and to run screaming/laughing in the opposite direction. No, I'm gonna pitch in and help out. At the very least I get to see some more uncomfortable small talk right??
I don't have the first clue what one would bring to an Asian Snack Party... My idea of snacks is beer and popcorn. I don't think they have corn or corn products throughout Asia so what's a guy to do??? JAPANTOWN that's what!!! I pop into Nippon-Ya and it is like a snack heaven. Sweets. Savories. They have it all. Thankfully they also have an English translation sign by every product because even if there is English on the original packaging it doesn't make sense. For instance, I left with a bag of Beer Mame and on the bag it reads, "Oh! 21 DREAM." I also left with some Wasabi Mame and Dried Filefish?!?!?!
The shop itself is modern, overly bright, and welcoming. The staff were all incredibly helpful and didn't make fun of my towering height or round eyes!!! -
Review from Angela M.
7/31/2011
Such a charming, cute little store in the Kintetsu Mall. Nippon Ya specializes in candies, cookies, teas, mochi, rice crackers, chocolates, and so much more from Japan. I've tried a large variety of the things sold here and I have to say that I haven't disliked anything. Most of the goods come wrapped in lovely paper and fancy boxes that make you appreciate the attention to detail and wish that sweets sold here looked just as pretty. There are descriptive signs detailing the sweet you're looking to buy, what it's made out of, and where it's come from, so don't worry if you can't read the Japanese packaging. There is also a small selection of cell phone charms and gifts for sale here as well. The prices for everything are a little high but the quality of the edibles are outstanding.
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Review from L w.
Berkeley, CA
4/11/2011
F*** Ya!
Not cheap. But such great mochi - soft, supple, delicious.
Will try other reviewer's suggestion for Benkyodo which is the only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars (will edit stars if that place doesn't compare).
So far, the strawberry chocolate has been the best mochi. And the vanilla/white chocolate cookie is SO good. -
Review from Luis C.
11/7/2009
A great place to buy some omiyage (regional Japanese edible snacks, in nice pretty wrappers sold as gifts/ sourvenirs) in Japantown. It's not true that u can find most of these stuff at Nijiya, so don't bother. Each season usually brings a different supply of snacks. Love the many different types of mochi and jellies, but some items can be WAY too sweet. I wish they offered free samples so u could pick the ones u like best, instead of finding out the hard way that your choice wasn't that great.
Most everything is well made and carefully packaged, but these are not the best omiyage u can find. The regional fairs in the Mitsuwa market, or the Shirokiya store in Honolulu (they have free samples) have superior items - okay, yes that's too far away. It's just an example.
I would have given this place 4 stars in the past, but since Minamoto Kitchoan recently opened a store in downtown SF, it simply knocks this place out of the water. Service is pleasant.
They don't validate Japantown garage parking.Listed in: Japanese Food and Shops
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Review from Santi T.
6/22/2009 2 photos
I stumbled into this Japanese style confections and gift shop by accident and it was a good thing because they had so many items that reminded me of Japan. They had a huge assortment of candies, biscuits and sweets that are imported and beautifully boxed. These are the kind of gifts you would want to gift as a omiyage (bring home gift) to friends and family. I'm glad I picked up the strawberry mochi ($7.50ish) because my guest back home really enjoyed it.
One noticeable thing you must be aware here is some of the food items have short expiration dates. I had to put back a few goodies because a few were going to expire in a few weeks. For example, if you see "09.7.12." that means it will expire July 12, 2009 not December 7, 2009. Year, month, day. Always make sure you look at that before you make your purchase.
While trying to remember the name of this shop, I found a printable coupon you can use for 10% off.
http://japantownparkin...
Aahhhh, finally finished with all my San Francisco reviews! Now moving onto the South Bay! -
Review from sandy t.
Monrovia, CA
8/6/2006
Wandered in here one day after eating lunch in J-town...and this place got me hooked on chocolate-filled green tea mochi. They also have other flavors--strawberry, cherry blossom, regular red bean...everything is good (except the cherry blossom--its a bit dry for my liking)
This is a great place to stop by at if you're looking for some treat gifts for friends.... Everything is packaged nicely. -
Review from Miika m.
12/11/2006
This past Sunday found me, my sister, and my father looking for unique Japanese oriented gifts for the neighborhood families and some of my more eclectic friends who have absolutely everything.
The location actually use to house the works of a local Japanese artist, so I was a little saddened to see him go. His works of Sumi-e was pretty simple, meditating, and beautiful in the stead of typical Japanese artwork. Now, that peaceful calm was replaced by something much more louder, happy, and colorful for capitalistic reasons.
I stopped by on my way to Kinokuniya to look for something cute, strange, and modern toy-like item for one of my friends in Sacramento. I found one wall stacked with stuffed cotton renditions of parfaits and yogurt sundaes (imaginative, indeed) and a bunch of key chains with little characters and puffy bright goldfish. Most of these were priced starting from $5.95 and up.
Another wall carried several varieties of traditional Japanese snacks and confections to be consumed with green tea:
Yokan: Dense sugary squares or rectangular blocks made of boiled red bean paste, sugar, and agar agar (thickening agent). Variations of the traditional red yokan runs the gamut, with chestnuts and full lima beans to strawberry - green tea - blueberry flavored yokan.
Mochi: Tiny round mounds of sweetened pounded sticky rice molded around tiny pockets of sweetened red bean paste.
Arare: Baked or fried bits and shaped pieces of rice crackers, basted with a range of flavors: sweet soy sauce, sweet ginger powder, or salt
My papa purchased three boxes of the small Daifuku mochi for the neighbors while I contemplated the price tag of $10.00 for the Buru-Buru stuffed boars.
In the end, I decided not to make the purchase and forged ahead to Kinokuniya for something with a little more substance: books! Neat store for the passerby and curiously oriented, this is very reflective of Japanese retail Omiyage (gift) shops: cute, tiny, and lots of fun items. -
Review from spiff e.
San Francisco, CA
6/22/2006
One of the must-stops in j-town. When they first opened, I thought it was kinda cute because it totally reminded me of the gift shops in the Japan airport. But what keeps me returning to the store is the great selection of authentic Japanese confections.
My favorite is the strawberry mochi with chocolate filling. Seems like the secret on that is out though, because it kept selling out. Good thing the store has gotten smart and now keeps it well stocked. The green tea mochi with chocolate filling is just as great. Also love the garlic shrimp chips (made with real garlic and shrimp!). What else. The shrimp rice crackers. The persimmon jellies when it was persimmon season. The cherry blossom mochi during cherry blossom season. The mochi with white peach white bean filling during peach season ... you get the picture.
And the non-food stuff is cute too. Like the little plates and kiddie spoon/fork sets. Too bad I don't have kids to buy them for though. And the kimono silk bangles and hair sticks would be very pretty, if only I had bigger hands and longer hair.
All that adds up to four stars and the fifth star is for the service. The tall Japanese-looking girl always gives me great suggestions on what's good (like what I might find too sweet or too bean-y). And she's never been wrong. And oh, one time I saw her demonstrate to some lady how the kimono hair sticks work. How neat! Awesome overall! -
Review from Jen D.
10/11/2008
I don't like chocolate very much. Not big on american sweets.. But I love me some Japanese confectionery treats. OH yes I do.
Came here just to look for this particular wafer treat that I really love - fukuwatashi senbei. They didn't have it... But they did have a lot of other great things, all in the beautiful packaging that makes it such a great gift to give.
They also had "kotobukiame konpeitou". Which is the really colorful traditional rock (sugar) candy!!!! I had way too much of that when I was in Osaka. But I still love it. -
Review from Jim D.
12/28/2008
I was in J-Town and my partner in crime needed some candy treats for some friends. This store has assorted mochi with different fillings. From green tea to fruit fillings, plus the ever popular chocolate ones. The boxes run between $8 to $10 a box and they are decorated very nicely This shop is small but it was neatly organized and you could find what you are looking for quickly.
They also have assorted candies, different gift baskets and stuff toys. Very Fun. -
Review from Ken K.
5/26/2007
I passed by here this past Saturday morning. Quite an impressive store, unlike the rest of the shops in the same building. A shame they were not going to be open until 45 minutes later and I could not stick around..
Word has it this place sells Tokyo Banana!
In case you were wondering, no, that is not a devious refence to a 3rd leg, man's best friend, or a "small Japanese weenie" (according to Nobu K).
Tokyo Banana is a pastry/snack that if I remember correctly looks like a swiss roll cake, but inside has a wicked banana cream filling that tastes like the real banana flavor. I could not find this at any Nijiya, Mitsuwa supermarkets in the Bay Area, and last time I had it, a friend gave us some when she was in Tokyo, and I was seriously hooked.
Not all junk food tastes good, but I make an exception for this.
http://www.tokyobanana.jp -
Review from David P.
5/24/2008
I really wish I liked this place more...
One of my favorite things to do in Japan was to stop off at a shop at the train station wherever I might be visiting from Kyushu to Hokkaido to check out the local specialties. I would inevitably bring lots of stuff (omiyagei) back for friends and business associates not just a courtesy but an obligation.
Nippon Ya has some of this but its weighed too heavily on the side of distinct and unusual. Just give me more of the traditional regional and tried and true okashi and mochi.Listed in: Japantown-Bura
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Review from Stephanie p.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2008
Yummy yummy yummy I got mochi in my tummy...
I used to try and make it a point to stop in to this adorable mochi store every time I was in J-town, but lately I've been trying instead to make it a point NOT to stop in... 'cause I know I will probably go home and devour a gift-sized box of these sweet things in an evening. My favorite is the strawberry mochi with chocolate filling. It's like eating frosting surrounded by strawberry pillows of joy.
Nippon Ya sells a wide variety of Japanese mochi confections, ranging from traditional to modern flavors. The products are a little pricey, but are great for gifts. Has anyone ever said "WOW!" after receiving yet another janky box of See's candy for the holidays? As many of the reviews point out, the packaging is super cute and unique, so it definitely stands out as something special.Listed in: Adventures in J-town
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Review from Lola L.
San Francisco, CA
7/1/2008
THIS PLACE IS EVIL!
I saw Genevieve's review of this place and when she mentioned mochi I had to pay this place a visit.
From across the mall through the crowd I spotted a wall with rows and rows of mochi! Mango...chocolate...green tea...strawberry! 3 boxes for $8! To my left twinkling in the sunlight where boxes of strawberry daifuku for $8! There's a basket of chocolate, strawberry and yogurt filled marshmallows. Were these sale prices I saw? There's a display case of freeze dried bananas and strawberries covered in chocolate. Not only do they look good but they taste good too!
They also have cute stuffed animals, key chains and toys. Packaging is super cute so I can come here to buy a last minute present. A little pricey but some of these things you can't find anywhere else in the city so pony up here or you can drop cash on a plane ticket to tokyo.Listed in: from my sweet tooth to yours!
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Review from Andrew I.
Santa Monica, CA
8/15/2006
Update: I heard my leggy Asian beaut' has left for bigger and better which is a tremendous loss to this store, but alas another package of mochi will have to suffice to supress my borderline depression
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All the awesome mochi goodness and neat Japanese trinkets are secondary to the leggy Asian beauty of a store manager Kristina who always offers service with a smile. Hubba Hubba! -
Review from Martha N.
Wasilla, AK
10/1/2011 3 photos
I was craving for mochi and I heard good things about this place before my visit. This place has a good variety of mochi and other japanese snacks. They're great for souvenirs and gifts to take home and share with your family and friends. Most of the mochis don't need to be refrigerated so they don't spoil easily. They are also packaged in beautiful boxes.Try the Harajuku MOCHI chocolat. I think its the godiva version of mochis. What's good about is, you can see samples of mochis on what's inside each box on display. Don't hesitate to ask the cashier. He was very nice and helpful. They also sell cute accessories such as keyholders. I bought one that looks like two kissing mochis ^___^ which are supposed to be for couples. You can give one to your bf and keep the other for yourself. It's cute!! This place is a must visit when in Japantown SF. Enjoy!!
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Review from Katherine H.
San Jose, CA
12/18/2009
If you're looking for Tokyo Banana, you will be semi satisfied. There is an inferior version of the famed Tokyo Banana here, which is not nearly as good as the real thing in Tokyo. But, if you're just looking for something, ANYTHING, to taste like it, they've got it.
This store is actually great, reminds me a lot of the mochi/sweets boxed sets that are sold everywhere in Japan (subway stations, convenience stores, etc). There is plenty of daifuku, mochi, crispy treats, cell phone fobs, etc.
So far we've had the fake Tokyo Banana (dry and less banana creme filling than the original), chocolate banana daifuku, and azuki green bean mochi. Not bad!
