Wash, rinse then soak the 5 cups of glutinous white rice in double the amount of water in a bowl or large container overnight (about 8-12 hours). Drain.
Prepare the mochi maker by filling it with 2 cups of water (there is a separate area for this, right below where the steamer bowl should be placed).
Fit the bowl and paddle into the machine
Transfer the drained rice into the steamer bowl.
Close the lid and press STEAM (takes about 30 minutes, an alarm will go off when it's done)
As the mochi maker steams the rice (which takes about 30 minutes), PREPARE THE TOFU by squeezing out as much water as you can. You can either use a cheesecloth or press the tofu over a fine meshed sieve.**
When the rice is done steaming, open the lid and sprinkle in the salt and sugar.
Press POUND. Add the drained tofu into the machine and let it continue the mixing process. At first the mochi will appear lumpy and you'll see chunks of tofu throughout, but it takes about 15 minutes for the mochi to come together.
Allow the mochi machine to pound the rice for 15-20 minutes and stop the machine. Pour into a well greased pan.
Use the mochi dough immediately to shape into desired shape.