Kanna Kakigori

The summer months in Japan are notoriously hot and humid, but thankfully there are several ways to beat the heat – and some of them are through food! Kakigori is a shaved ice dessert that comes topped with a variety of syrups and other goodies, and there are numerous places that sell it across the country. For Tokyoites, one popular destination for a kakigori fix is Kanna Kakigori, located in a quiet residential area by Setagaya Park.

The kakigori menu here has both Western and Japanese flavor influences, ensuring there's something to appeal to almost everyone's tastes. For instance, there are Western-inspired flavors like tiramisu and strawberry milk, or Japanese flavors like purple sweet potato, matcha, or kinako (roasted soybean flour). Most of the kakigori are priced between the ¥ 800 to ¥ 1100 mark, and they're definitely large enough to share with a friend.

The peak season (July through September) sees the store focus only on kakigori, but outside this timeframe they offer a variety of set meals for those who want something a bit more substantial. Handmade soba, fried oysters, gyoza, mackerel, and salmon sets are just some of the hearty options available to customers.

Reservations are highly recommended during the peak season, and these can be arranged by visiting their website here. Menu updates and seasonal specials are usually listed on their social media accounts such as their Instagram.

For those who are based within Japan but not in Tokyo, Kanna Kakigori also has an online store where you can purchase their syrups and have them shipped to you. Kakigori makers can be found in abundance on Amazon Japan, for instance, if you'd like to try making your own at home.