+1 408-294-4148
Nestled in the heart of San Jose’s historic Japantown, Shuei-Do Manju Shop stands as a cherished cornerstone of Japanese confectionery tradition. This quaint shop at 217 Jackson St. offers a delightful window into a world where age-old recipes meet the vibrant palate of the Bay Area. Known for its handcrafted mochi, manju, and other delectable sweets, Shuei-Do is much more than a bakery—it is a living bridge connecting generations and cultures through the art of Japanese confections.
What truly sets Shuei-Do apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity and quality. Each bite of their signature Butter Mochi is a tender experience, boasting a buttery richness that strikes a perfect balance—never too sweet, but luxuriously soft with a subtle flaky topping that melts in your mouth. Fans also rave about the Chi Chi Dango Peanut Butter Butter Mochi, a comforting fusion that marries traditional textures with a nostalgic peanut butter warmth. Beyond mochi, their assortment includes treats like Brown Kinako Manju, Panda Cookies, and traditional Botamochi, each crafted with meticulous care and a deep respect for Japanese flavors and ingredients.
Longtime customers cherish Shuei-Do for more than just its sweets. As one customer fondly recalled, the shop feels like a warm, intergenerational gathering spot—a place where culture, heritage, and community intertwine. The staff’s sweetness and genuine passion for their craft add to the shop’s inviting atmosphere, transforming a simple purchase into a meaningful cultural experience.
However, part of Shuei-Do’s charm is also its elusive rarity. Many patrons note the high demand for their most coveted treats: weekend mornings often see shelves emptying fast, requiring early visits or preorders. The shop’s Instagram offers occasional stocking updates, but those eager to sample specialties such as the exquisite Chi Chi Dango or Butter Mochi must act swiftly. For those who do plan ahead, the convenient preorder option with a dedicated pickup window ensures a smooth and personalized shopping experience.
The variety itself invites exploration: whether it is the subtle flavors of Yomogi (mugwort) and Matcha green tea mochi—lively blends of tradition with a modern touch—or the innovative peanut butter infused creations, every selection tells a story. While some reviewers mention that the herbal notes in certain mochi can be more subtle than expected, the overall consensus is clear: Shuei-Do offers a uniquely heartfelt journey through the world of Japanese sweets, balanced deftly with thoughtful American influences.
For visitors seeking a genuine taste of Japanese confectionery craftsmanship, Shuei-Do Manju Shop is an essential stop. Be prepared to savor moments of discovery and delight in each chew, bite, and crumb. From the lovingly made traditional manju to the playful panda cookies, Shuei-Do invites you to experience the rich tapestry of flavors and culture held within its doors—an experience well worth the journey, whether local or from afar.
Contact details:
Address: 217 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112, United States
Phone: +1 408-294-4148
Shuei-Do has always been one of my go tos for homemade mochi in the Bay Area and even more so now that Benkyodo closed down. Highly recommend the butter mochi, white bean mochis, Monaka, and if you’re curious to try other ones, kinako. They do run out on the weekends and towards the end of the day. While mochi is vegan/ gluten free, they sometimes use non gluten free and dairy ingredients.
I traveled all the way from Alaska for this mochi and it was 100% worth my time. Sweetest employees and the butter mochi is perfectly buttery, not overly sweet and has a nice semi-soft flaky topping. The strawberry dango is lightly flavored. The portions are amazing. I spent $30 for a box of 12 pieces.
Old fashioned manju and mochi shop run by generations. Amazing! Not only the taste but the culture, tradition and blend of Japanese and American make every bite meaningful
It’s recommended to check their Instagram for updates, but even then they won’t tell you what’s out of stock each day. I feel that some of their items run out fast even in the morning, so I don’t get a chance to try the good stuff like the Chi Chi Dango. I couldn’t taste the mugwort in the Yomogi or the Matcha in the Green Tea items. The Butter Mochi and the Peanut Butter items were very good!
I pre-ordered items from Shuei-Do Manju via email. It was easy and there is a separate window to pick up pre-ordered items so you can avoid the line. I got a box of 8 items and the total was $20. By the time we got there around noon on a Saturday, there was a short line but they were sold out of all of the chichi dango and butter mochi. I am not Japanese so I'm not an expert, but I will try to do my best to describe the items we got! Peanut butter - this was my favorite item from the shop. It's mochi that is filled with peanut butter (and maybe lima bean according to the website) and coated in kinako. The mochi was so tender and chewy and it had just the right amount of peanut butter in it. Mango & strawberry chichi dango - again, the mochi itself had a wonderful texture. The flavors were quite subtle and kind of reminded me of hi-chew candies. White manju - this was like a steamed bun filled with azuki (red bean paste). The bun itself is quite thin (so not like dim sum style buns). I haven't had manju before so I enjoyed trying it. Kinako - another mochi item with great texture. I think it has a filling but I didn't notice much taste wise and it was coated in kinako powder. Brown inaka - this is similar to the white manju except the red beans were whole and it's made with brown sugar. Again, fun to try. Overall, I really enjoyed everything we got but if I were to return, I would get the peanut butter mochi. I also want to try the butter mochi and monaka on my next visit!
Delicious fresh mochi! It's a small place with a walk up window for ordering which was unexpected, but the prices are reasonable and the quality is very good. I prefer traditional mochi (habutai), but the green tea was really good too. My friend wanted the peanut butter and brown inaka, but I think the habutai is definitely better imo.
Since Benkyodo closed a while ago, I'd always wanted to find a local spot with high-quality manju and Shuei-Do does it well! I like the variety in their selection and popular items sell out quickly by the afternoon. Some of my favorites are yomogi, habutai, green tea, kinako, and their butter mochi. They take pre-orders online if you'd like to guarantee your picks, and also in-person orders. Recommend everyone to give this place a try!
Pretty solid mochis. Got a box of 4 (yomogi, green tea, peanut butter, butter mochi) for $10. Can mix and match flavors however you like. Mochis were a nice texture, the ones with red bean paste were really sweet though. I think the best ones are the butter and peanut butter, but overall their not on Japan level. Maybe the best we got here. They take contactless payments and are very efficient. It is just an order window and as soon as you pay they will hand you your order. Street parking but free residential street parking a block or 2 north