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Kakigori かき氷

Kakigori is Japanese shaved ice, fluffier than a snow cone, topped with syrup and often condensed milk. It is eaten with a spoon.

Checked October 2026 · next check January 2027 · 1 post since 2026

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About Kakigori

  • What it is: Ice shaved from a block into a deep bowl, then topped with fruit syrup, condensed milk, fruit, sweet red beans, mochi or ice cream. It dates back to the Heian period, when stored winter ice was served to aristocrats in summer.
  • Styles: Popular syrups include strawberry, melon, lemon, Blue Hawaii and green tea. Ujikintoki pairs green tea syrup with sweet azuki beans; Kagoshima's shirokuma ("polar bear") comes with condensed milk, fruit and small mochi.
  • Where to try it: Cafes, specialist shops and festival stalls, alongside yakisoba and takoyaki. Look for a flag with the kanji 氷 (kōri, "ice") hanging outside a shop. Nagatoro in Saitama is one of the few places using natural river-fed ice.
  • Season: A summer treat, with the main season from late June to late August. Convenience stores sell kakigori-style desserts all year.
Season
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  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
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Summer, from late June to late August
Known for it
  • KagoshimaShirokuma, with condensed milk and fruit
  • KyotoUjikintoki, with Uji green tea and red beans
  • SaitamaNatural ice in Nagatoro

Checked against: Kakigōri | Wikipedia · Japanese Shaved Ice: What is Kakigori & Where To Try It | byFood.

Kakigori on Shibuya246

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