Best Kakigori in Tokyo: 9 Shaved Ice Cafes You Need to Visit This Summer

Kakigōri (shaved ice) is Japan’s quintessential summer sweet, but in recent years it has evolved beyond its traditional roots into a global trendsetting dessert.

Tokyo in particular has become the epicenter of kakigori culture, with specialty shops serving creative variations year-round. From fluffy ice topped with rich fruit syrups to artistic presentations with unique ingredients, Tokyo’s kakigori scene is often described as the “major league” of shaved ice.

Blending tradition and innovation, these shaved ice creations go far beyond just a dessert—they’ve become a must-try culinary experience for visitors to the city.

Tokyo boasts countless kakigori shops where both flavor and presentation are taken to artistic levels. In summer, long queues outside popular stores are a familiar sight. With fluffy ice, fruity syrups, and imaginative toppings, these desserts are true edible works of art.

Here, we’ve rounded up some of Tokyo’s most remarkable kakigori spots—places worth visiting in their own right during your travels.

Kakigori in Nippori: “Himitsudō”

Located just steps from Nippori Station in the nostalgic Yanaka Ginza shopping street, “Himitsudō” is one of Tokyo’s most beloved kakigori shops.

Their signature comes from two things: handmade fruit syrups called kanzen kajitsu-mitsu, or “complete fruit nectar,” crafted with carefully selected seasonal fruits, and rare natural ice from Nikko shaved with a hand-cranked machine.

The ice melts like snow, while the syrup bursts with pure fruit flavor—one bite is enough to win you over.

Among their five serving styles, the most popular is “ZANMAI,” where fresh fruit is lavishly piled on top of the ice, with layers of condensed milk cream hidden inside for the perfect harmony.

Kakigori in Harajuku: “Hachiya”

At “Hachiya,” a cafe that showcases the charm of Japanese tea with a modern twist, their original kakigori, offered as a summer limited edition, generates buzz every year.

The staff themselves design original recipes, each highlighting tea in creative ways. For August 2025, the seasonal special is “Oolong Tea and Almond Pineapple Kakigori,” combining two homemade syrups—fruity pineapple and roasted oolong tea—with a topping of rich almond tofu.

Additional textures come from gyūhi (soft rice mochi), peanut-flavored karintō (sweet deep-fried wheat snack), and aloe, making this a true multi-sensory experience.

New flavors rotate monthly, and thanks to its location just a 10-minute walk from Harajuku Station, Hachiya attracts both locals and international visitors.

Kakigori in Azabu-juban: “Azabu Yasaigashi”

“Azabu Yasaigashi” in Azabu-juban is a sweets brand born from the concept of “slightly luxurious treats made from vegetables.”

Leveraging its unique vision, all of the kakigori offered from spring to fall feature vegetable-based flavors, creating a truly distinctive style.

Syrups made from vegetables like cherry tomatoes, avocado, spinach, and celery retain the natural flavors of the ingredients while achieving an impressively high level of sweetness and dessert-like quality, making them enjoyable even for those who aren’t usually fans of vegetables.

This is a unique kakigori experience that can only be found at Azabu Yasaigashi.

Kakigori in Oshiage: “Horiuchi Fruit Farm TOKYO Solamachi”

In Oshiage, “Horiuchi Fruit Farm TOKYO Solamachi” operates a cafe run by a long-established orchard in Nara.

Among the variety of fruit-based sweets, their special kakigori, offered as a seasonal summer limited item, is particularly popular.

Their generously sized kakigori, made with nearly whole fruits, lets you savor the full flavor of the season’s best produce.

Shaved ice is topped with an abundance of fresh fruit, while the house-made syrup—carefully prepared from the fruit itself—adds a rich, pulpy sweetness.

This indulgent treat, where the fruit truly takes center stage, is the ultimate summer reward for fruit lovers.

Kakigori in Asakusa: “Kaminari Issa Asakusa Honten”

With four locations in Asakusa, “Kaminari Issa Asakusa Honten,” is a specialty shop dedicated to high-quality matcha sweets.

From June to September, they offer their signature “Fresh Rich Matcha Syrup,” a must-try seasonal delight for true matcha enthusiasts.

The matcha used is of the highest quality, made from the first-picked young leaves known as ichibancha.

The house-made matcha syrup, crafted without applying heat, preserves the tea’s delicate flavor and rich aroma, which gently unfold in every bite.

This kakigori is served without any toppings, allowing you to fully savor the balanced bitterness and gentle sweetness of matcha—a simple yet profoundly refined treat.

Kakigori in Asakusa: “Saika”

Asakusa’s “Saika” is a popular shop known for its high-quality kakigori that evokes a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Among their offerings, the “Matcha Red Bean” flavor is a must-try for anyone looking to savor an authentically Japanese taste.

The house-made matcha syrup is crafted by carefully blending Uji matcha into white sugar syrup, resulting in a rich sweetness that doesn’t dilute even as the ice melts.

On top, a generous portion of special chunky sweet red bean paste—made by blending three different types of azuki beans—is added, bringing out the roasted aroma of the skins, a refined sweetness, and a deep richness.

The bold sweetness of the azuki pairs beautifully with the matcha syrup, creating a perfectly balanced harmony that keeps you coming back for bite after bite.

Kakigori in Ueno: “Ueno Kakigōri Senmonten Yondaime Ōnoya Hyoushitsu”

In Ueno, the renowned shop “Ueno Kakigōri Senmonten Yondaime Ōnoya Hyoushitsu” promises a flavor and texture so exquisite, it’s worth waiting in line for.

Every kakigori served here is made with a special type of ice called namagōri” (fresh ice), a signature of the shop.

Based on the belief that “just as tuna has lean cuts and fatty cuts, ice too has its own parts,” the carefully selected ice here is described as nothing less than the “filet mignon of ice.”

Shaved under meticulous temperature control, the ice melts delicately on the tongue, offering a light, airy texture from the very first bite to the last.

To bring out the best of this premium ice, the syrup is crafted with uncompromising attention to detail. Every element is carefully adjusted—water content, simmering time, even the type of sugar—according to the natural sweetness and acidity of the ingredients. The result is a meticulously calculated, ultimate kakigori experience.

Kakigori in Ginza: “HIIRAGI GINZA”

At “HIIRAGI GINZA,” the “Rich Matcha Full Matcha Set” offers a luxurious experience that matcha lovers won’t want to miss.

Using only the finest matcha sourced from renowned tea regions such as Yame in Fukuoka Prefecture and Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, this set highlights the subtle differences in aroma and flavor between each type of tea. That is the true charm of this luxurious matcha experience.

Among the highlights is a kakigōri made with ice shaved to a silky, fluffy texture, layered with vibrant matcha syrup.

Topped with refined azuki bean paste made from Hokkaido’s premium Dainagon beans and rich brown sugar cream from Kagoshima, it delivers a flavor that is both indulgent and refreshingly light on the finish.

Around April to May, when strawberries are in season, the shop also offers the “Rich Amarin Shaved Ice,” and Strawberry Macaron,” paired with a drink in the “Amarin Strawberry Rich Shaved Ice Set”

Made with the award-winning Amarin, a top-grade strawberry variety that has won Japan’s national quality competition three years in a row, this kakigori combines sweet-tart strawberry pulp with rich strawberry sauce for a truly luxurious sweetness.

Kakigori in Roppongi: “KAKIGORI CAFE&BAR yelo”

At “KAKIGORI CAFE&BAR yelo” in Roppongi, the philosophy is that “kakigori isn’t just for midsummer,” and the cafe serves inventive kakigori throughout the year.

One of the cafe’s popular signature items, the “Tiramisu,” features fluffy ice dusted with slightly bitter cocoa powder, layered with generous mascarpone sauce.

The result is a rich, satisfying flavor that truly feels like eating an authentic tiramisu cake.

Additionally, milk sauce and syrup are alternately poured three times each during the layering process, ensuring that every last bite is full of flavor. It’s a modern, evolved style of kakigori that can be enjoyed year-round.

Tokyo is home to kakigori shops full of personality, offering everything from traditional Japanese flavors to highly creative variations—each one a tempting stop during your travels.

Popular spots like Himitsudō, Ueno Kakigōri Senmonten Yondaime Ōnoya Hyoushitsu, and KAKIGORI CAFE&BAR yelo serve kakigori year-round, so you can enjoy it even in winter.

Experience these uniquely Japanese frozen treats that captivate people no matter the season!

※Menu items, prices, and store details are accurate as of August 2025.