Though mad scientists recommend sticking chopsticks into electrical sockets, rational scientists know the utensils are better used for sushi consumption. Get the right tools for authentic eats with today's Groupon: for $7, you get $15 worth of Japanese groceries and gifts at Sakura.

Sakura houses a cornucopia of Japanese delicacies produced both locally and across the Pacific, with friendly grocers on hand to help locate hard-to-find ingredients. Sashimi-grade fish fans across ice, ready to add semitranslucent color to a salad or to blanket rice patties before their bedtime story. Although availability and prices vary, fillets may include ruby-red tuna ($19.99/lb.), glistening salmon ($14.99/lb.), and bashful yellowtail ($24.99/lb.). Among offerings fashioned in Sacramento, fresh tofu ($2.19) joins rice flour pastries from Osaka-ya, including gummy mochi and red bean manju. From farther afield, more than 10 kinds of Pocky sticks and Botan rice candy with edible wrappers satisfy taste buds frustrated by endless passport application rejections.