Marvelous Darling Reviews The Iroha Sakura Vibrator

This is the cutest vibrator I’ve ever lain eyes on. More after the cut!

The entire Iroha line are the kinds of sex toys that you could accidentally leave on your nightstand and not be too embarrassed should a friend happen to see them. I would love to see a print advertisement campaign for them, because I think they’re just the kind of toy that could and should be marketed to new consumers: Cute, non-threatening, carefully made, and very functional.

Holding the Sakura in your hand is a little bit like holding a stress ball. It’s pleasantly plump and squishy, but not at all sticky like other soft toy materials can be. (Not to mention the Sakura poses no threats to your health.) The outer layer of high quality, dust-repellent silicone fully encapsulates the squashy layer of elastomer, which surrounds the motor. On its underside, the Sakura has a small plastic disk with two triangular buttons (- and +), which are also magnetic and function as the charging mechanism. The whole thing fits nicely in my hand, and is shaped a bit like an oversize Reese’s Egg. The clitoral – prongs? stimulators? Pac-Man mouth? – are soft and flexible like the rest of the toy. Because it’s made of silicone and water-resistant, it’s very easy to clean. I suggest using dish soap and warm water.

Like other reviewers, I was skeptical when I heard “dust-repellent” silicone. Most of my favorite toys are silicone, and every single one is a dust magnet. I rubbed the Iroha on some blankets and my fuzziest sweater, and left it out of its case for days on end. No dust. None. Now, the elastomer inside of the silicone coating keeps the toy from being flame-testable. However, Tenga has an excellent record of solid product manufacturing, and I trust that their materials are what they say they are. 

From a practical design standpoint, all of the squishy material results in dampened vibrations. Happily, Tenga made the motor for the Iroha line strong enough that I would still rate the top speed (3 speeds, 1 pattern) at about a 7/10 on a scale from “shitty novelty AAA battery powered PVC vibe” to Mystic Wand.

In use, the Sakura feels rumbly, not buzzy, and it’s mostly very comfortable to hold. Because of where the controls are located, I had a hard time changing the speed during use. There are a variety of ways to position the Sakura, including positioning the two prongs on either side of the clit. (You can also rock it Pac-Man style, with the vibe on its side and the prongs open like a mouth.)

Where Sakura really shines is as a couple’s toy. In my opinion/experience, softer toys are particularly well-suited to couple’s use because it’s harder to go overboard with them. Using, for example, the WeVibe Salsa on someone else can be difficult. It’s made of hard plastic, and it’s very strong. How much pressure is appropriate? Use too much, and you run the risk of it actually being painful. That’s not a problem with Sakura, and unlike most other soft toys, this one doesn’t come with a risk of infection. If your partner has a penis, you could even hold Sakura flat in your palm and use it in conjunction with a handjob, if they’re into vibration.

My only real gripe with Sakura is actually tied into one of my favorite features: The charging box. It’s beautiful! In the photo above, you can see the charging base. There’s also a clear plastic lid that fits over the base, keeping the Sakura safe and clean. Side note: It kind of reminds me of those plastic cases that crazy people used to keep Beanie Babies in, but a lot more elegant. When you want to charge the Sakura (which isn’t too often, btw – that battery ain’t shabby), you place it on the base so that the magnetic control buttons line up with the conductors on the base, close the lid, and plug the base itself into either a USB outlet or an electrical outlet. Cool, right? Until the weak magnets get jostled and your Sakura’s charge gets interrupted. If you normally set your toys on a table or desk to charge, this really isn’t a problem. If you’re living in a single room with hardly any flat surfaces and a small dog that likes to root around, you’re SOL.

Who should buy the Tenga Iroha Sakura? Someone who enjoys soft toys and is looking for a more interesting clitoral stimulator than simple bullet-style vibrator should consider investing in the Sakura. It would make a great first toy for any couple where at least one person has a clitoris. If you’re used to jelly toys and want to make the jump to luxury without sacrificing the soft texture you like, this would be absolutely perfect. See? No more excuses for those jelly pieces of crap.

Over all, I think the Sakura is a very solid toy; it’s actually one of a mere 10 I’m bringing with me to Germany. It has a strong motor, a design that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and it’s made from high quality materials. Be sure to check out the rest of the Iroha line, too – Caitlin has a great write-up on all 3. Thanks so much, SheVibe!