With temperatures of over 33 degrees this past week, summer is out in full force. And one of the best ways to cool off and beat the summer heat is with a big bowl of Japanese Shaved-Ice, or Kakigori.
While Kakigori may typically be associated with summer festivals, it is making its way into the cafe scene these days. Many cafes offer heaping piles of shaved ice adorned with fresh fruit, syrups, and all sorts of toppings served in an almost-too-pretty-to-eat flair. … Almost.
There are many wonderful and delicious restaurants and cafes serving Kakigori all over the prefecture, but let’s take a look at 6 stands outs. (in no particular order)
Snow White Kakigori from Arriere-gout
photo by mochi_mochi620
You can eat shaved ice made straight from the fresh mountain streams of Yatsugadake. The shop lets you choose 3-5 different sauces for your Kakigori. And with 12 different flavors to choose from, there are plenty of combinations to make!
Photo by run.run__sweets
Store details:
Arriere-gout (アリエールグー )
〒950-0932 新潟県新潟市中央区長潟1203-1
Mon, Thurs, Fri : 11am-7pm
Sat, Sun : 11am-6pm
Tues/Wed : Closed
Michelin Star Kakigori from Mr&Mrs Cafe
Photo by mrandmrscafe
This wedding venue/cafe serves high quality lunches, dinners, and desserts. So high quality, that they earned themselves a spot on the Michelin Bib list. This summer’s Kakigori flavors include Tiramisu, Matcha Pistachio, and a classic Strawberry.
Photo by mrandmrscafe
Shop details:
Mr& Mrs Cafe
〒950-0088 新潟県新潟市中央区万代１丁目３−1
Open daily 11am-8pm
Fresh Fruit Kakigori from & CAFE
Photo by eteko_abc
Have you seen this cute little cafe connected to the Bandai side exit of Niigata station? They regularly offer instagramable dishes featuring Niigata grown fresh fruit. This summer they have 4 refreshing flavors of kakigori : Strawberry, Mango, Matcha, and Melon.
Photo by andcafe_niigata
Shop details:
& CAFE (アンドカフェ)
〒950-0901 新潟県新潟市中央区弁天１丁目１−26 オセオ弁天2F
Open daily 7am-8pm with extended hours on Friday and Saturday
Corn Kakigori from Ice Umemotoya
Photo by koori.umemotoya_niigata
Corn flavored Kakigoir? Why not?!
The story goes that one day the shop staff were playing around and decided to put carmel corn flavoring on kakigori. Apparently it was a hit! But they didn’t stop there, because no “corn kakigori” would be complete if it didn’t have actual corn on it.
The shop also has plenty of more normal flavors for the less adventurous, including strawberry, banana, matcha, coffee, and … pumpkin…?
Photo by koori.umemotoya_niigata
Shop details:
Ice Umemotoya (氷 うめもと屋)
〒951-8133 新潟県新潟市中央区川岸町２−7-3 リバーステージ新潟 １階
Open daily 11am-6pm
Watermelon looking Kakigori from Itoya Cooking and Catering
Photo by rinosukemi
This shop is most known for their watermelon kakigori that looks like an actual watermelon slice. They have many other visually stunning bowls as well, with flavors such as kiwi, umebosi, creme brûlée, pumpkin caramel… is anyone else’s mouth watering, or just mine?
Photo by yuri.hirei
Shop details:
Itoya Cooking and Catering (割烹・仕出し 伊藤屋)
〒959-1704 新潟県五泉市村松甲2169-6
Open 11am-5pm duding summer vacation.
Traditional Kakigori from Sakeyama
More of a traditionalist? Then check out the Matcha-anko Kakigori at Sakeyama.
This restaurant sources all of their ingredients from Niigata right down to the salt harvested from the shores of Sasagara-nagare. The mochi in their matcha-anko Kakigori is made from…you guessed it!… Koshihikari rice!
Photo by sakeyama0907
Shop details:
Sakeyama (鮭山マス男商店 桜木店)
〒950-0973 新潟県新潟市中央区上近江２丁目２−21
Open 11am-9pm daily
Check out all these shops and more on the NiigataLocals Google Map!
With so many shops in Niigata to explore, where will you start?
Do you know of any good Kakigori shops in your town?
We’d love to know.
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