Kakigori: A Japanese Shaved Ice Dessert to Beat the Heat

Kakigori hits the spot when Japan begins to bake under the humid summer sun. Kakigori, similar to Korean bingsu, is a dessert made of shaved ice topped with syrup, fruits, and more. 

Kakigori specialty stores select special blocks of ice and shaving machines. Each single-serving of snow traps air between flakes of shredded ice, giving diners a light and fluffy mouthfeel unlike anything else.

Although Asakusa is full of delicious Kakigori shops, the three specialists below each offer a special twist. Enjoy the wide variety of flavors and toppings that make trying this classic summer dessert all the more refreshing. 

Asakusa Naniwaya: Famous for Kakigori and Taiyaki

Asakusa Naniwaya is compact, homey and lived in. Visitors can enjoy its signature taiyaki – a fish-shaped pancake filled with azuki bean paste or anko – right off the street. Step inside, however, and select a bowl off the proprietor’s lovingly hand-written kakigori menu.

Asakusa Naniwaya is an anko specialist first, meaning its kakigori flavors are all formulated to suit the shops’ many varieties of bean paste. From the classic milk and strawberry syrup combo, to unique flavors like chai, each flavor is thoughtfully developed to match sweet white or red beans.

Asakusa Naniwaya’s seasonal, real fruit flavors, ranging from mango in summer to pumpkin in fall, are especially delicious. Sumomo (plum) and anzu (apricot) syrups create a perfect balance between sweet-tart fruit and earthy, umami azuki. Fresh stone fruits may not be the first shaved-ice topping that comes to mind, but these nostalgic flavors capture the feeling of Japanese summers in a single bite.

Asakusa Naniwaya

Address: 2-12-4, Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: Weekday 11:00 am–7:00 pm, Sat. Sun. Holiday 10:00 am–6:00 pm
Closed: Tuesday
Website: https://a-naniwaya.com/

Asakusa Himurodo: Shaved Ice Best before Three Minutes!

Asakusa Himurodo is both a kakigori specialist and a mont-blanc cafe. The relaxed space is set far from Asakusa’s busiest tourist streets. 

This kakigori cafe uses only all-natural ingredients with no artificial additives. You’ll have to eat fast though, as the addictive texture only lasts for three minutes! Fortunately, the ice is so well aerated that even a high-speed spoon attack won’t incur too bad of a brain freeze – the delicate flakes melt almost as soon as they hit the tongue.

This popular shop and its satellite stores often sell out of the most classic flavors – strawberry, matcha, etc. However, its best flavor is one of its most unique. Diners can only try Asakusa Himurodo’s original “liquid sweet-potato” kakigori at the main store, here in Asakusa. This Kakigori syrup is official titled, “Ripe Honey-Potato Nama Sweet Potato”, which refers to the variety of sweet potatoes used and the nostalgic Japanese cake called “sweet potato.” This Kakigori topping is made with a puree of real sweet potatoes which have been ripened until they are sweet and full of sap. Guests will definitely feel revived after this cold and creamy treat that combines two classic Japanese desserts in one delicious bowl.
 

Asakusa Himurodo 

Address: Crest Asakusa 1F, 3-24-8, Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 am–5:00 pm
Closed: irregular holidays 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asakusa_himurodo/
 

Asakusa Izumi: Traditional Azuki Sweets

Asakusa Izumi, like Asakusa Naniwaya, is actually best known for its azuki. This is a famous anmitsu spot located between Asakusa Station and Tawaramachi station that takes special care to select the best red beans and classical ingredients such as kanten, sugar syrup, mochi and matcha. During warm months, guests can enjoy limited-edition shaved ice. 

The dining space features faux walls of bamboo designed to look like Japanese tea gardens. It’s the ideal setting for trying Izumi’s fresh Uji matcha kintoki shaved ice.

This is the signature bowl, combining Izumi’s specialties: specially prepared azuki beans, the mature flavor of bitter matcha, and a dash of nostalgia. Izumi’s red beans are sweeter and softer than Naniwaya’s, helping them balance the strong matcha flavor.

Izumi’s commitment to tradition means this is one of the only spots in Asakusa offering retro kakigori flavors. Ume and mizore, a simple syrup that highlights the purity of the ice, are recommended for travelers who want to discover the art of kakigori while stepping back in time.
 

Asakusa Izumi

Address: 1-8-6, Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:30 am–6:00 pm
Closed: Open all year round
Website: https://www.asakusa-izumi.co.jp/en/

Asakusa is a place to soak in the traditional atmosphere of Japan. Between experiencing its retro shopping streets, the stunning gates of Kaminarimon and authentic traces of Edo culture, make sure to stop and cool off with a bowl of kakigori.

writer

Sydney Seekford
PR writer and journalistic photographer from the state of Fl, USA. Now local to Tokyo, where she carries out full-service projects for clients catering to inbound tourists. Sydney specializes in food and beverage, with frequent forays into the general tourism and hospitality sector. Her personal time is spent in nature or browsing art exhibits.