Top 5 Kakigori Stores in Tokyo You Must Try This Summer

During the summer, Japan can be extremely hot. It’s important to keep yourself cool during the sweaty Tokyo weather. One of the best ways you can do this while discovering all the delicious foods and desserts during your summer travels through the country is to try kakigori.

If you’ve never heard of kakigori, it’s a traditional Japanese shaved ice dessert, typically flavored with sweet syrups, and can be topped with condensed milk, mochi, fruit, azuki (red bean paste) or even matcha. Japan’s kakigori flavors are almost endless, refreshing and a great way to refresh yourself in the summer heat. Here are some of the best dessert locations where you can try kakigori for yourself.

Kooriya Peace

Starting off we have Kooriya Peace in Kichijōji, western Tokyo. This cute dessert shop is known to be a hot spot for shaved ice lovers. With its creative and seasonal flavors, you’ll be amazed by the taste and presentation.

Kooriya Peace has a wide range of syrup flavors that are homemade and paired with different types of toppings such as chestnut rum mont blanc, melon jelly and black sugar laden with peanuts and kanten, a healthy vegan gelatin.

During the spring, you can try their Sakura Sai Chai kakigori, a seasonal option featuring cherry blossom and chai spice flavors. You can even customize your shaved ice with additional toppings of your choosing, such as strawberries or milk. Both locals and visitors rave about their delicious flavors, making this dessert shop a must-try.

Himitsudō

Another kakigori hot spot, Himitsudō has been featured on Tabelog’s “Top 100 Sweets Tokyo.” They specialize in Japanese ingredients such as yuzu and sansho pepper. Other favorite flavors include their fruity syrups such as strawberry, peach, banana, kiwi and pineapple. Some fun choices include chewy banana chocolate milk, Hokkaido mascarpone mango, kiwi yogurt, secret strawberry yogurt and royal milk tea.

Himitsudō has amazing reviews, and customers recommend everyone to go and try it to experience the unique and yummy flavors. The shop is in Omotesandō, central Tokyo. They have an authentic atmosphere, aren’t shy to stay open even during colder months of the year and have a daily changing menu if you want to try something new every time you go.

Taiyaki Sora

Located in Kichijōji, Taiyaki Sora is another fan favorite. Their kakigori is known for being ultra-light, fluffy and prepared with homemade syrups usually made from seasonal fruits throughout the summer and prepared with fun toppings.

This location is also known for plenty of other tasty treats if you want to branch out as well. They are also well known for their taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cake). Just remember that before you go, make a reservation.

Azuki to Kōri

Located in Yoyogi‑Uehara, Shibuya Ward, Azuki to Kōri is another fan favorite. This kakigori location also makes their own homemade syrups that visitors love. Some of their top flavors include white peach and vanilla. Their pastry chef founded a former Michelin-star French pastry restaurant, so their kakigori is inspired by French techniques infused with seasonal Japanese ingredients.

The shop rotates between different flavors such as cream, sweet red bean paste and crunchy meringue. Other past highlights include passion fruit crème chiboust, strawberry brûlée and carrot parfait-style bowls.

Saka No Ue

Another great year-round kakigori spot is Saka no Ue, in Yushima, Bunkyo Ward. This dessert spot is known for its milky, smooth shaved ice with an endless list of toppings. Some of their most popular seasonal flavors include apricot-pistachio, pear-earl grey, pumpkin and pineapple. These flavors are typically paired with creamy yogurt toppings.

This is a popular location that’s well worth the wait. The lines might be long, but the flavors will leave you satisfied and cooled off on a hot summer day. If you want an extra treat to go with your kakigori, they also have a menu with many other sweets and treats.