Enjoying Japanese Summer! Recommended Spots for Shaved Ice (Kakigori) and Chilled Wagashi

Hello everyone! In the humid heat of a Japanese summer, we all want something cold to cool down with… ! For this perfect season, we are introducing recommended spots for kakigori (shaved ice) and chilled wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).

We bring you a diverse lineup, ranging from traditional, simple shaved ice to photogenic modern creations, alongside elegant wagashi that captivate both the eye and the palate.

Use this article as inspiration to find your favorite refreshing sweet treat and fully enjoy the Japanese summer!

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A Symbol of Japanese Summer: Kakigori

Kakigori has long been cherished as a quintessential symbol of the Japanese summer.

History of Kakigori

The history of kakigori is ancient, said to have already been enjoyed by nobles during the Heian period.
At that time, natural ice harvested in winter was stored in an ‘Himuro’ (ice house) and shaved with syrup for consumption in summer.
During the Meiji era, ice-making technology developed, spreading kakigori to common people.
By the Showa era, various syrups and toppings appeared, establishing the style of kakigori we know today.

Types of Kakigori

Traditional Kakigori: Simple shaved ice with coarsely shaved ice and syrup.
Fluffy Kakigori: Thinly shaved ice resulting in a light, fluffy texture.
Modern/Creative Kakigori: Generously topped with fruits, sauces, or espumas for a visually stunning presentation.
Local Specialty Kakigori: Unique kakigori made using ingredients specific to the region.

How to Enjoy Kakigori Best

Drizzle Syrup Evenly Over Everything: This ensures uniform flavor and keeps it delicious until the last bite.
Eat It Before It Melts: If you wait, the ice will melt and become watery.
Try Various Toppings: Combine different toppings like condensed milk, adzuki beans, shiratama (rice dumplings), or fruits to find your perfect cup.
If Your Head Feels Throbbing: Cooling down your forehead or temples can help alleviate pain.

Recommended Kakigori Shops
We introduce recommended kakigori shops across Japan.

Tokyo

Himitsudo (Yanaka):

Features: Popular for its fluffy kakigori made with natural ice.
Recommended Menu: “Secret Strawberry Milk,” “Fresh Melon”
Tip: Don’t miss the limited seasonal menus.

Yukisagi (Komazawa University):

Features: Known for its cute and creative kakigori designs.
Recommended Menu: “Salt Caramel Granola,” “Pumpkin Cream Brûlée”
Tip: They offer photogenic kakigori perfect for Instagram.

Shimura (Mejiro):

Features: Uses natural ice from Kokunborihama. Famous for dramatic presentations resembling a sheer cliff.
Recommended Menu: “Fresh Strawberry,” “Shiratama Adzuki”
Tip: Offers an elegant taste characteristic of long-established wagashi shops.

Kyoto Prefecture

Saryo Hosen (Shima-Kamo):

Features: Enjoy authentic Japanese-style kakigori made with high-quality ingredients.
Recommended Menu: “Uji Kinji,” “Shiratama Cream Anmitsu”
Tip: Perfect for savoring slowly in the store’s tranquil atmosphere.

Nijō Wakasa-ya Teramachi Store (Nakagyo Ward)

Features: Popular for fluffy kakigori made using traditional methods.
Recommended Menu: “Uji Kinji,” “Mizore”
Tip: The seasonal “Saiun” is a beautiful shaved ice with colorful syrups.

Nara Prefecture

Hoseki-bako (Nara City):

Features: Popular for its innovative kakigori using espumas.
Recommended Menu: “Litmus Paper Ice,” “Kohaku”
Tip: Features many original menus that delight both the eye and the taste.

Okinawa Prefecture

Tanaka Kajitsuten (Onna Village):

Features: Enjoy luxurious kakigori made with plenty of local Okinawan fruits.
Recommended Menu: “Mango Kakigori,” “Passion Fruit Kakigori”
Tip: A tropical treat that makes you feel like you’re in the tropics.

Coloring Japanese Summer: Chilled Wagashi

Beyond kakigori, chilled wagashi are also indispensable during the Japanese summer.

Types of Chilled Wagashi

Mizu Yokan (Water Bean Paste): Characterized by its adzuki bean flavor and smooth, silky texture.
Kuzu-Kiri: Translucent noodle-like wagashi made from kudzu starch. Often served with kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) or kinako (roasted soybean flour).
Warabi Mochi: Known for its bouncy, jelly-like texture, made from warabi powder. Served with kinako and kuromitsu.
Anmitsu: A colorful assortment of wagashi featuring agar jelly, shiratama, fruits, and anko (sweet red bean paste).
Mitsumame: A simple sweet treat consisting of edamame beans, agar, and shiratama.
Tokoroten: A cool-looking wagashi made by dissolving and solidifying amaranthus. Served with vinegar soy sauce or kuromitsu.
Zenzai (Chilled Zenzai): Sweet red bean paste cooked in sugar. The chilled version is perfect for summer.

The Appeal of Chilled Wagashi

Cool Appearance: Using translucent ingredients and cool serving vessels enhances the visual sense of coolness.
Subtle Sweetness: Compared to Western sweets, wagashi are less sweet, allowing you to savor the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Healthy: Many use gentle materials like adzuki beans and agar jelly.
Seasonality: Wagashi made with seasonal fruits and ingredients offer a taste unique to that time of year.

Recommended Wagashi Shops

Tokyo

Toya Karyo (Akasaka, Ginza, etc.):

Features: A sweets shop run by the long-established wagashi maker ‘Toraya’.
Recommended Menu: “Uji Kinji,” “Mizu Yokan”
Tip: Enjoy authentic wagashi made with premium ingredients.

HIGASHIYA GINZA (Ginza):

Features: A place to savor seasonal wagashi in a sophisticated setting.
Recommended Menu: “Mizu Yokan,” “Kuzu-Kiri”
Tip: They also sell beautifully packaged sweets, perfect for gifts.

Kyoto Prefecture

Kondou Benja (Gion):

Features: A long-established wagashi shop founded in the Edo period.
Recommended Menu: “Kuzu-Kiri,” “Warabi Mochi”
Tip: You can slowly savor wagashi in a charming, traditional setting.

Saryo Tsujiri (Gion, Kodaiji)

Features: Offers various sweets utilizing matcha green tea.
Recommended Menu: “Special Tsuriiri Ice,” “Matcha Anmitsu”
Tip: A rich flavor that matcha lovers cannot resist.

Ishikawa Prefecture

Morihachi (Kanazawa City):

Features: A long-established wagashi shop with over 390 years of history, serving the Kaga Domain.
Recommended Menu: “Chōshinden,” “Sensai”
Tip: Characterized by its elegant sweetness and delicate mouthfeel.

Enjoying at Home! Easy Refreshing Sweet Recipes

You don’t have to eat them out; try making these refreshing sweets easily at home!

【Easy Fruit Kakigori】

Ingredients:

Ice: Appropriate amount
Favorite Fruits: Appropriate amount (strawberries, mangoes, kiwi, etc.)
Syrup: Appropriate amount (store-bought or homemade is fine)
Condensed Milk: To taste

Instructions:
Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces.
Shave the ice using an ice shaver.
Place the shaved ice in a bowl, and pour over fruits and syrup.
Drizzle condensed milk to taste.

【Bouncy Homemade Warabi Mochi】

Ingredients:

Warabi Powder: 50g
Water: 200ml
Sugar: 50g
Kinako (Roasted Soybean Flour): To taste
Kuromitsu (Black Sugar Syrup): To taste

Instructions:
In a pot, mix the warabi powder, water, and sugar well.
Place over medium heat and continuously stir with a wooden spoon until it thickens.
Once translucent, remove from heat and pour into a baking tray.
Let it cool and set in the refrigerator.
Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve with kinako and kuromitsu.

Conclusion: Cool Down Japanese Summer with Refreshing Sweets

In this article, we introduced kakigori and chilled wagashi—two must-try treats for the Japanese summer.

Both are sweets that have been cherished as symbols of the Japanese summer for ages. They look cool and offer a flavor perfect for hot weather.

We hope you use this guide to find your favorite shops or try making these sweet treats at home, allowing you to spend the Japanese summer in a refreshing and delicious way!

See you in our next article!