No trip to Japantown would be complete without a stop at Benkyodo, a coffeeshop run by brothers Ricky and Bobby Okamura in Buchanan Mall. This is no ordinary coffeeshop. Ricky and Bobby are third generation manju makers, part of a dying breed of artisans who make these traditional confections by hand each day. Benkyodo celebrated its 100th anniversary in June 2006. If you stop by on a Saturday, be prepared to wait in line and go early because they can sell out fast. It's kind of amusing to see how East meets West here, for my kids often look forward to ordering a hotdog with their kuri goma manju, baked manju with smooth white beans and sesame seed garnish. When I'm there, it's hard to resist my childhood favorite, dorayaki, a pancake style manju filled with whole red beans. Benkyodo also has fun flavors like strawberry, peanut butter and chocolate marshmallow mochi! Benkyodo Co.,1747 Buchanan Street. 415.922.1244. Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.


Another popular place is Sophie's Crepes in the Kinokuniya Building. Especially in the evenings, crowds converge to watch the simple yet mesmerizing wonders of their paper-thin crepe being made through the storefront window. They have lots of savory and dessert varieties. My kids love the one filled with vanilla ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream, both with and without chocolate sauce drizzled on top. Sophie's Crepes, 1581 Webster Street. 415.929.7732. Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.

If Sophie's Crepes is too crowded, try Belly Good Cafe & Crepes next to May's Coffee Shop in Kintetsu Mall. They make deliciously soft crepes. Belly Good Cafe & Crepes, 1737 Post Street. 415.346.8383. Open 7 days a week.

Don't forget the Yasukochi's Sweet Stop, a little gem tucked away in Super Mira market on Sutter Street between Buchanan and Laguna. It is run by Thomas "Moses" Yasukochi and his wife Hatsy. They make an assortment of treats, including guava cake and their famous coffee crunch cake. They now have a chocolate crunch cake, chocolate cake and whipped cream covered with chocolate crunch. Here's a cool fact: Moses was one of the original members of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo which is the oldest and largest professional taiko group in the Western world led by Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka. Yasukochi's Sweet Stop, 1790 Sutter Street. 415.931.8165. Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.


At Murata's Cafe Hana in the Kintetsu Mall, you will find beautiful pastries, chocolates and a variety of ice cream flavors including green tea. They also sell stuffed animals, candy and small gifts, and make lovely floral arrangements. There has been exciting news for owner Carol Murata recently. In February, she unanimously won a bid with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission to run the concessions at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. I can't wait to see how she infuses her traditional Japanese touches and artist eye to the garden! Murata's Cafe Hana, 1737 Post Street. 415.567.9133. Monday - Thursday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

There are several other places to satisfy your sweet tooth in Japantown, but these are our family's favorites. Make sure to save room for dessert while you're taking in the Cherry Blossom Festival over the next two weekends. 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 2009. Queen Program, Saturday, April 11 and Grand Parade, Sunday, April 19.