Every year feels hotter than the earlier one and maybe it really is. In Tokyo, the arrival of summer heralds the refreshing delight of shaved ice, known as “kakigori” ／ かき氷” in Japanese. As the mercury rises and the sun blankets the city in its golden warmth, locals and visitors alike seek solace in this timeless seasonal treat. In Tokyo, Asakusa Naniwaya is one location which I would certainly recommend to enjoy kakigori.

“Asakusa Naniwaya” is located in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s leading tourist destinations. This is a division of the famous taiyaki restaurant “Azabu Juban Naniwaya Sohonten”. For reference, Taiyaki is a japanese fish-shaped pastry that is typically filled with sweet fillings such as red bean paste (anko. Asakusa Naniwaya offers not only taiyaki but also shaved ice and light meals and this shop has has become a hot topic for its cute shaved ice visuals.

1 minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station A1 Exit. Asakusa Naniwaya is located along Kokusai-dori Street, which is lined with various restaurants and office buildings. The store owner, Ryosuke Yasuda, has a unique background as a former IT programmer and then as a Japanese confectionery craftsman and then on in December 2010 after 5 years of training at Azabujuban Naniwaya Sohonten opened this shop. When you enter the shop, you will be greeted by a modern Japanese space with a calm atmosphere. There are spacious table seats for two, so you can relax and enjoy your meal.

This is a seasonal shaved ice “Mango” with a rich aroma of mango that will whet your appetite. Homemade mango syrup and milk syrup are poured on the ice, and the top is topped with coconut long, which is finely shaved and dried coconut pulp. The creamy mango syrup, the fluffy ice, and the crunchy coconut long texture make for a rich mango flavor. 

The shop always offers more than 15 kinds of shaved ice all year round, from classics such as “Strawberry” and “Ujikintoki” to unusual flavors like “Peanut butter” and seasonal flavors using seasonal fruits. The most popular item is “Asayake”, which is topped with adzuki beans on top of homemade strawberry syrup. 

If you visit here, you can’t miss “taiyaki”. The red bean paste made from red beans from Tokachi that is cooked in a pot for eight hours a day is not too sweet and has a taste that makes you want to eat as many as you want. You can enjoy the crispy skin and the texture of the adzuki bean grains, and there is plenty of red bean paste in the tail.

One more thing is the topping. Homemade strawberry syrup and milk syrup are sprinkled on top of the ice that has been finely shaved and served softly. Do add in that extra option for the topping

Location : Asakusa Naniwaya : Google Map : 2-12-4 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo

11:00-19:00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10:00-18:00

Closed on : Tuesdays, irregular holidays

After cooling ourselves down, we took a stroll around the Asakusa area, watching the beautiful street lights…