San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place: Benkyodo Manju Co.

Address: 1747 Buchanan St., San Francisco

Description:
Benkyodo Company produces about 1,500 manju and mochi per day, using a hand-made traditional style of baking imported from Japan in 1906. The confections, which are made from pounded rice, are used most frequently in local celebrations, including birthday parties, festivals, etc. Benkyodo has been a constant storefront presence in the neighborhood. Besides its bakery counter, its lunch counter provides the neighborhood with standard American cuisine, like sandwiches and hotdogs, and a place to meet.

History:

Benkyodo, one of the oldest remaining businesses in Japantown, was opened in 1906 by Suyeichi Okamura and is currently the last remaining manufacturer of mochi and manju in San Francisco. The store was forced to close during World War II when the family was interned at Amache, Colorado, but re-opened afterwards, moving to its current location at Sutter and Buchanan Streets in 1959. Suyeichi passed on the family business to his son, Hirofumi, who operated the store for thirty years before his sons Ricky and Bobby took over in 1990. To this day, the brothers continue to carry on the unique technique and tradition of Benkyodo.

Significance:

Cultural, Historical

Recognition of Significance:

Featured in S.F. Chronicle on Feb. 9, 2001; honored by the Japanese American National Museum;
voted #11 of 125 best eats in San Francisco Magazine on March 29, 2003.

Sources:

Ricky Okamura and Bobby Okamura, co-owners, Benkyodo Co.

Other Comments:

Ironically, Benkyodo is now widely popular amongst Japanese tourists because common desserts in Japan are shifting away from handmade manju toward more Western fare.

Prepared By: Young Kim Date Prepared: 6/23/04*