8 Of Tokyo’s Most Unique Kakigori Treats

Here are our favorite menu items from 8 different kakigori stores in Tokyo that are worth the brain freezes.

Kakigori (shaved ice with syrup) is a definite must if you’re in Japan during the summer. Having shaved ice, as simple as it sounds, is such a pleasurable experience, especially during the hot summer season. If you’re someone that questions why kakigori is so hyped up in Japan, be prepared to be convinced why.

Down below we’ve chosen our favorite unique kakigori items that will keep you, your family, and your friends cool and fresh this summer!

1. Haimuru Coffee’s Princess

Let’s start off our kakigori list with this adorable Insta-worthy item. The ‘Princess’ is covered in a thick, strawberry cream and milk Fromage, topped with rich cream and cherries! This shaved ice is their most popular menu item, however, other items such as the Pistachio and Fig Kakigori have recently been gaining more and more popularity.

The other main menu item at Haimuru Coffee is… ramen. Weird combination right? Surprisingly, the combination of eating cool shaved ice after a steaming bowl of ramen is a great way to get through the summer—especially if you’re a ramen fan as well.

Where: Haimuru Coffee, 2-16-1 Koyama, Shinagawa-ku
When: 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (Closed Mondays)
Cost: ¥1,190

2. Yelo’s Kinako Banana

A simple but super tasty flavor that can easily be loved by all. For those of you unfamiliar, kinako is a soybean powder used in many traditional Japanese sweets and pretty much goes with anything. By itself, kinako can be quite bland but when matched with a sweet partner it has a very distinct flavor similar to peanut butter, so it goes super well with bananas making it a super healthy option when out looking for dessert.

The ‘cool’ thing about Yelo Roppongi is that it is open all night. So if you’re looking for a late-night snack with friends one warm summer night, Yelo will be open for you! Other menu options include watermelon mascarpone, chocolate mint, tiramisu, green tea, organic carrot mascarpone, and more!

Where: Yelo, 5 -2-11 Roppongi, Minato-ku
When: 11 a.m.-5 a.m. (Sundays and public holidays until 11 p.m.)
Cost: ¥900

3. Momijiya’s Chocolate Kiss

This kakigori beauty is topped with delicious chocolate cream, almond slices, and strawberries. You could say this is pretty much a chocolate cake in shaved ice form. The insides are flavored with the Momijiya homemade strawberry milk syrup making it the shop’s most prestigious menu item. You have to get in quick if you want to try this flavor though—they stop serving this item as soon as they run out of their quality strawberries!

Momijiya has a number of other strawberry-themed kakigori flavors that are just as exciting but are similarly limited once out of strawberries. Luckily they have a variety of other flavors such as raw melon, mango yogurt, white peach, Nagano purple grape and more just in case you miss out.

Where: Momijiya, 3-19-15−1F Umeda, Adachi-ku
When: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: ¥1,500

4. Sebastian’s Mango Dolce Ice

Possibly one of the most unique kakigoris on our list—yes, it’s kakigori. This mango cake-looking dessert is actually kakigori in disguise. Instead of the usual sponge and cream, this cake is full of delicious mango flavored shaved ice and generously topped with cream and mango pieces.

Sebastian’s is known for many unique kakigori items on their menu: another favorite is their balsamic milk and strawberry kakigori and their lemon and berry rare cheesecake kakigori topped with chocolate cookie crumbs.

Where: Sebastian, 7-15 Kamiyamacho, Shibuya-ku
When: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Cost: ¥1,000

5. Pakupaku Kumokumado’s Spicy Milk Tea Kumasan

Adorable, right? This Mr. Bear Kakigori is milk tea flavored and is topped with cinnamon and tea jelly. As you continue eating into your new friend, you’ll discover rum raisins; a unique twist you just really don’t expect! The ears are made of caramel biscuits and the eyes and nose are decorated with sweet beans.

Pakupaku Kumokumado has a number of other cute bear-themed kakigori options like a white Calpis Cream Berry flavor, alongside other tasty shaved iced options such as Grapefruit Honey Yogurt flavor. The shop only opened this April and is said to become very busy this summer, so get in quick while you can!

Where: Pakupaku Kumokumado, 2-1-8 Chofugaoka, Chofu
When: 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: ¥1,000

6. Homibing’s Fresh Watermelon

Korean kakigori is on a whole new level. Instead of adding a flavored syrup after shaving water-based ice, pre-flavored ice is what’s shaved in Korea. This way, the kakigori is super smooth and is much more like a gelato that melts away like cotton candy. The watermelon flavor is super refreshing—perfect for cooling down in the summer—plus it actually comes with slices of watermelon, too!

Homibing is a super popular shaved ice store in Korea and has taken off in Japan since opening their first store in 2016. They have eight regular shaved ice menu items with flavors such as taro, tapioca milk tea, matcha, and more, as well as four other seasonal flavors. Fresh Watermelon is the summer special so it is limited to this season only.

Where: Homibing Shin Okubo, 2-3-20 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku
When: 11:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Cost: ¥1,300

7. Gram Factory’s Decorate-Your-Own Kakigori

Here’s a kakigori with a super Instagrammable twist! You design your own kakigori. Choose the milk base kakigori and then decorate it with the variety of candy available in the store to your heart’s content. They also have pre-designed options if you can’t be bothered to choose!

If you follow their Instagram @gram_factory, you also get a ¥100 off your purchase. The shop is also full of colorful fun clothes and themed accessory items.

Where: Gram Factory, 2-15-1 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku
When: 1 p.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: From ¥680

8. Amaikko’s Strawberry Milk Kintoki Shiratama

Let’s finish off with a traditional style kakigori. This strawberry milk flavored shaved ice topped with shiratama (sweet rice flour balls) and sweet red bean has a very classic Japanese dessert flavor. A perfectly cool Japanese dessert for the hot summer!

Amaikko has a number of other kakigori items that are just as good as well as a variety of traditional Japanese desserts with sweet red beans, chestnuts, and more! The shop is quite small and is located on the corner of a residential street in Nishi-Ogikubo.

Where: Amaikko, 2-20-4 Nishiogiminami, Suginami-ku
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: From ¥1,080