Hoshino Resorts KAI is set to hold a shaved ice event titled KAI no Gotochi Kakigori 2019 at several branches of KAI from July 13 to August 31. The event will allow people to enjoy tasting the different syrups and toppings served with shaved ice in each local area.   Shaved ice is a staple of Japanese summertime. People in Japan have enjoyed the ice-based dessert for many years. It is even mentioned in The Pillow Book, a famous collection of poems, essays and observations by the court lady Sei Shōnagon.   KAI's line-up of original shaved ice both ensures you will pull through the hot weather as the dessert was designed for while enjoying a fun time. Each option incorporates local flavours. Let's take a look at some of them.  

Wine Shaved Ice - KAI Matsumoto (Asama Onsen, Nagano Prefecture)

Kikyogahara located in Nagano Prefecture's city of Matsumoto is known as the birthplace of Nagano wine. At Hoshino KAI Matsumoto they serve around 50 types of wine from Kikyogahara. The shaved ice you can get at KAI Matsumoto is lathered in a syrup made from just one of those wines: the fruity Concorde. The shaved ice is served in handmade ceramic grape bowls. The alcohol has been removed from the syrup so that the shaved ice can be enjoyed by everyone.   Serving: 16:00-17:00Location: Lobby (*Can be ordered by children)  

NEW Hydrangea Shaved Ice - KAI Hakone (Miyanoshita Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Because the Hakone area is elevated hydrangea bloom for a longer period of time than other places. Trains along the Hakone Tozan Line are dubbed "Hydrangea Trains" when the flowers are blossomed as passengers can enjoy gazing at the flowers from their window seats. This shaved ice is made with blue hydrangea flavoured jelly and syrup to recreate the hydrangeas of Hakone.   Serving: 15:00-17:00 (Last Orders 16:30)Location: Restaurant  

NEW Hanairo Shaved Ice: KAI Ito (Ito Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture)

The city of Ito has a warm climate and so locals and tourists can expect to enjoy seeing many different flowers sprout through all four seasons. The Hanairo ("flower colour") Shaved Ice captures the flowers that bloom around Ito from early to late summertime. The yellow represents the hypericum patulum, the pink the Abelia linnaea, and the blue the hydrangea that bloom in profusion by Matsukawa Lake.   Serving: 15:30-17:00 (Last Orders 16:30)Location: Yuagari (the spot where you get out of the bath)  

NEW Apple Shaved Ice - KAI Alps (Omachi Onsen, Nagano Prefecture)

Nagano is famous for its apple production. This shaved ice is made with three types of apple. Two types of syrup are concealed by ice: one that has an apple flesh-like texture and another made with fruity Bramley apples. Enjoy tasting the different flavours of each individual apple.   Serving: 15:00-18:00 (Last Orders 16:30)Location: Irori (the sunken fireplace)  

NEW Art Shaved Ice - KAI Sengokuhara (Sengokuhara Onsen, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Lots of art museums surround KAI Sengokuhara, and so to stick with the theme, this DIY shaved ice is served blank like a canvas and you get to decorate it yourself with different coloured syrups. Use spoons that look like brushes to paint on strawberry and orange coloured syrups to mix and match various flavours. The tools were handmade by glass artist Hiroshi Hamadate of ipada.   Serving: 15:00-17:00Location: Restaurant and lobby  

Kaga Bocha Tea Shaved Ice - KAI Kaga (Yamashiro Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Kaga Boach is a type of tea that has been adored since the Edo period for its aromatic smell and refreshing taste. This shaved ice is topped with Kaga Bocha syrup and gold leaf and is eaten from kutani-ware to give it a traditional feeling.   Serving: 18:00-20:30Location: Travel Library  

Blueberry Shaved Ice - KAI Kinugawa (Kinugawa Onsen, Tochigi Prefecture)

Tochigi is famous for its Ai Ichigo blueberries, and now you can enjoy them topped on shaved ice together with blueberry syrup. The prefecture is visited by many tourists and sightseers to go to pick blueberries in the summer. The syrup has pieces of fresh blueberry in it to retain the original sweet and sour flavour.   Serving: 15:00-16:30Location: Restaurant   Cool yourself down this summer in Japan with one of these many tasty local shaved ices.

Eleven cafes and restaurants at Tokyo's shopping complex Omotesando Hills will serve various "adult-oriented" shaved ice desserts from June 14 to August 31. The limited run is a continuation of last year's adult flavoured shaved ices, but this year more establishments are climbing aboard.   Check out these 5 flavours that are a must-try this summer.

Frozen Milk Black Tapioca & Mango Shaved Ice: ¥1,404 (Tax Included) @ Kageyamarou (Floor 3F)

*Limited to 20 per day

Kageyamarou are whipping up a fluffy, Taiwan-style shaved ice seeped in the sweet taste of mango and topped with fresh mango pieces. Accompanying on the side are big chewy tapioca pearls as well as a mango purin.   Serving Time: 11:00-21:00 (Except 16:30-17:30) *Serving until all 20 orders have sold.

Chai-Style Shaved Ice w/ Homemade Dates, Dried Fruits & Rum: ¥1,080 (Tax Included) @ Cosme Kitchen Adaptation (Floor B2F)

This shaved ice is made in the image of chai tea. It contains agar of dates―a superfood―and vitamin C-packed berries making this a great choice for those looking to look and stay healthy. It contains alcohol but can be ordered non-alcoholic. For an additional ¥216 (Tax Included) it also comes with hot or iced tea.   Serving Time: 11:00-22:00 (Until 21:00 on Sundays)

Hokkaido Yamakawa Nouen's Yamakawa Wasabi & Watermelon Shaved Ice: ¥1,512 (Tax Included)

@ Yasaiyamei (Floor 3F) *Limited to 30 per day

Yasaiyamei and bringing back this delight again which was popular last year. Served in a real watermelon, this upgraded version is packed with sweet watermelon and Yamakawa Wasabi made by Yamakawa Nouen in Hokkaido for a fiery punch. It comes with an original blend herb tea served hot.   Serving Time: 15:00-22:00 (Except 16:00-17:00. Until 21:30 on Sundays) *Serving until all 30 orders have sold.

Hazelnut & Espresso Granita: ¥1,296 (Tax Included) @ Fratelli Paradiso (Floor 3F) *Limited to 15 per day / Contains alcohol

Sat on top of a dollop of ice cream is a rich and bitter espresso granita steeped in Frangelico hazelnut liqueur. This Italian-style shaved ice recreates the granita, a semi-frozen dessert with origins in Sicily.   Serving Time: 11:00-22:00 (Until 21:00 on Sundays) 

Daisy Mandarin Shaved Ice: ¥1,728 (Tax Included) @ 37 Roast Beef (Floor 3F) *Limited to 20 per day / Contains alcohol

This citrus-packed shaved ice contains daisy mandarins, marmalade sauce and an orange liqueur for a refreshing and bitter mix. It's also topped with crunchy meringue made with coconut oil.   Serving Time: 11:00-22:00 (Except 16:30-17:30 on weekends and holidays)   If you're in Tokyo this summer, be sure to plan a trip to Omotesando Hills to try them.

Kakigori Kobo Sekka is a shaved ice shop in Sugamo, Tokyo that is serving up fresh shaved ice using this year's natural water from Mount Fuji. For spring, the shop just re-released its cherry blossom flavoured shaved ice. This year's Sakura Shaved Ice is made with a syrup that uses rare cheese as its base. Inside it's filled with cherry blossom flavoured milk and cherry blossom fromage blanc. It's also topped with cherry blossom whipped cream, jelly and a leaf chocolate. The store will also once again sell the Ichigo Mamire from early May, a menu option which proves popular every year. This shaved ice is the ultimate strawberry sensation with the ice itself having you think you're eating an actual strawberry. Other seasonal delights include the Koucha Holic, Spring-Only Cheese & Cheese, and more.   Kakigori Kobo Sekka is a hugely popular store where people can be waiting over 2 hours in line to get inside when summer rolls around. It's popular in spring too but you can rest assured you'll get in much quicker if you go now―and also get to try limited-edition flavours available during spring only.