Kakigori Spots in Tokyo: Five Places to Enjoy!
Karina Ikedo
The craving for a cold, sweet treat is undeniable as summer rolls in and the days become longer. The first thing that comes to mind in Japan is kakigori (shaved ice flavored with syrup or sweeteners). A beloved summer treat, these fabulous icy delights have become super popular lately. With specialist kakigori shops popping up nationwide, Tokyo is no exception!
These shops and cafés constantly experiment with new and creative flavors to keep the hype going. From flaming rum kakigori, tiramisu, strawberry with condensed milk, melon, lemon, and mango. Here are five Tokyo kakigori shops where you can treat yourself while cooling down this summer!
Sabo Okuno Shibuya
Sabo Okuno Shibuya is a new shop that took over the old space of Sebastian, a popular kakigori cafe. The menu is mainly seasonal, with flavors like American cherry, peach, and melon during the summer. It has recently brought back its iconic and unusual grilled corn flavor.
If you prefer to stick with the classic flavors, try their matcha (green tea) and wasanbon (fine-grained Japanese sugar) milk kakigori. You can even add toppings like seasonal fruit and bean paste. Visitors praise these delicious icy treats and their trendy decor; it’s the perfect insta-worthy delight!
Are you interested in some refreshing kakigori? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Japanese refreshing treats directly from Japan!
Cafe Lumiere (Kichijoji)
Cafe Lumiere is a fun and iconic destination that has tons of culinary delights. This café takes kakigori shaved ice desserts to the next level. It covers them in fluffy meringue before lighting them with flaming rum. It makes for quite the show-stopping dessert, plus it tastes pretty amazing, too.
The flavors range from caramel and strawberries to seasonal options like rum raisins and apples with custard cream. The menu also has amazing cakes and sandwiches that are worth trying!
Mamatoko (Nakano)
Located in a quiet residential neighborhood of Nakano, Mamatoko makes some pretty creative shaved ice desserts. The shop’s owner, Asako Harada, is “the queen of shaved ice,” with good reason. She’s eaten about 1,800 bowls in a single year.
Generally, you can sit at one of the counter spots and enjoy one of Harada’s unique creations. Don’t miss the shaved ice with seasonal fruit toppings and sake or a kakigori topped with granola. Flavors change with the season here, so there’s always something new and exciting!
Italian Kakigori Ricotta (Iidabashi)
Another hotspot for shaved ice is Italian Kakigori Ricotta. True to its name, Kakigori Ricotta is inspired by Italian flavors like tiramisu and carbonara. The kakigori artist behind Ricotta’s shaved ice has over 25 years of experience as an Italian cook.
Look forward to bowls of fluffy shaved ice topped with fresh fruit syrups, including rhubarb, apricot, and blood orange. Other unique toppings are mint chocolate and carbonara custard. Or opt for a twist on Italian tiramisu with melon, red currant, or even pistachio, depending on the season. Add shaved grana padano cheese for an extra charge to take your dessert to the next level.
Momijiya (Adachi-ku)
This small kakigori shop is worth the trek up to Adachi. Their shaved ice is comes from a natural resource; you can choose pure ice or their special natural water from Nikko. Its solid menu has year-round flavors like milk tea, cocoa, and kinako (roasted soybean powder). But you’ll want to watch for its specialty menu, which has iconic seasonal fruits.
One of their highlights is the kakigori topped with delicious chocolate cream, almond slices, and strawberries. This is pretty much a chocolate cake in shaved ice form. Not to mention, the inside is flavored with Momijiya’s homemade strawberry milk syrup. However, you have to get as soon as possible if you want to try this flavor. They stop serving this item when they run out of quality strawberries!
Momijiya has many other strawberry-themed flavors that are just as exciting, but they’re only available for a limited time. Luckily, they have many other flavors, like mango yogurt, white peach, and melon, just in case you miss out.
Why should I try these kakigoori spots in Tokyo?
One of Japan’s oldest refreshing treats, kakigori, is now more popular than ever in Japan. This iconic summer treat is the perfect way to survive Japan’s hot and humid summer days. The soft and fluffy texture created by natural ice is a must-try! With several variations in looks and taste, you’ll find yourself craving some kakigori soon! It is an all-time favorite sweet delight that should be on all dessert lovers’ must-eat lists.
When you travel to Japan, you will be surprised by the number of shops selling kakigori during summer. So, it’s easy to believe that Tokyo is home to some of Japan’s best shaved ice spots. Indulge in this summer snack in unique kakigori shops in Tokyo that will keep you cool and fresh this summer! Have you been to any of these kakigori spots in Tokyo? Do you have a favorite one? Let us know in the comments below!
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