When it comes to hot summer days, shaved ice (kakigori) is a quintessential treat in Japan. As summer approaches, you’ll notice colorful signs advertising this refreshing dessert in many shops. If you find yourself in Japan during the summer, don’t miss the chance to try kakigori, a seasonal sweet that’s hard to come by outside of the summer months.
What is Kakigori?
Kakigori has a long history, dating back to the Heian period ( approximately 390 years from 794) when a similar form of shaved ice was enjoyed. Essentially, kakigori is finely shaved or crushed ice, topped with a variety of flavored syrups. It’s incredibly popular in Japan’s humid summers, and you can enjoy it not only at specialty shops but also at home. Numerous types of home-use kakigori machines, ranging from manual to electric, are available for purchase at major electronics stores like Yodobashi and Yamada Denki, as well as lifestyle shops like Tokyu Hands and Loft. You can easily find syrups at supermarkets to customize your homemade kakigori.
While homemade kakigori with your favorite syrup is delightful, the artisanal kakigori served at specialty shops is a must-try. These shops often use high-quality ice and syrups, resulting in a unique and delicious experience. Let me introduce you to one of my favorite places to enjoy kakigori each summer.
My Favorite Kakigori Shop
This particular shop is primarily a traditional Japanese confectionery store (kanou shoujuan), but during the summer months, they serve exceptional kakigori. They use ice made from natural spring water and top it with their house-made syrups. This artisanal ice is quite special, as there are only five producers of natural ice left in Japan. It is made in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, using spring water that flows from the rocky surfaces during winter. The water is slowly frozen using the natural cold, resulting in ice that has a delicate texture. The shaved ice made from this natural ice has a smooth mouthfeel, contributing to the exceptional taste of the kakigori at this shop.
Despite being spoiled for choice, I always end up choosing the matcha (green tea) kakigori. Given the shop’s expertise in traditional sweets, their matcha kakigori is truly exceptional. It comes with three mochi (rice dumplings) and is generously topped with sweet red bean paste. Condensed milk is also provided on the side, allowing you to add it to your liking. When the kakigori is served, it might seem overwhelming in size, but the ice is so light that you’ll find yourself enjoying every spoonful until the end. For a lighter version, I ask for half the usual amount of red bean paste, but typically, it is served with twice the amount shown in the photo I took.
Kanou shoujuan: 叶匠寿庵
Kanou shoujuan 叶匠寿庵
Kanou Shoujuan is a renowned traditional Japanese confectionery shop, established in 1958. They specialize in high-quality wagashi (Japanese sweets), including mochi, yokan, and dorayaki, using premium, locally sourced ingredients.
In summer, they are famous for their kakigori (shaved ice), made with natural spring water ice and topped with house-made syrups like matcha and azuki bean. The shop provides a serene, beautifully designed environment, perfect for enjoying the elegant taste and artistry of Japanese sweets.
While Kanou Shoujuan has stores selling their wagashi (Japanese sweets) nationwide, there are only four locations in Japan that feature a tearoom. Three of these are in Shiga Prefecture, which is not as frequented by tourists as places like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. However, if you happen to be nearby, please do visit.
Kakigori is a simple sweet made with ice and syrup. Because of this simplicity, shops create unique menus by adding their originality to the ice and syrup, offering flavors you can only experience at those specific locations. Not only are there traditional Japanese-style kakigori, but you can also find versions offered by French and Italian restaurants. Enjoy the various types of kakigori that can only be enjoyed during the summer season.
