Kyoto-based chocolate bar BEL AMER Kyoto Villa is serving up the perfect line of new chocolatey bites for summer 2020.

The entire line-up is a delight to look at, from a mountain of chocolate piled on top of shaved ice, a summertime mango and melon dessert, and more.

Chocolate Noir Shaved Ice x Matcha: ¥1,540 (Tax Included)

Shaved ice is the quintessential summertime dessert in Japan, and since this one is being served at a shop specialising in chocolate, what better way to serve it than drizzled in a mountain of the stuff? The shaved ice is covered in rich chocolate cream and chocolate sauce and is topped with chocolate nibs. It’s also served with a side of matcha sauce which you can pour over yourself, creating a delicious harmony of flavours.

Mille-Feuille au Chocolat Exotic With 196℃ Chocolate Ice Cream: ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

This summertime dessert is made with lots of mango and melon. In the centre of it all is even more mango, as well as pineapple and coconuts, for a flavourful layered experience. Served on the side is ice cream made from BEL AMER Kyoto Villa’s own original couverture chocolate.

Summer Pavlova: ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

This piece of art of a dessert is a must for lovers of matcha and melon. It’s made from fluffy meringue topped with white chocolate, matcha mousse, and chocolate cream, which itself is then topped with refreshing melon and grapes for a refreshing kick.

Chocolate Croquette Sandwich: ¥990 (Tax Included)

BEL AMER Kyoto Villa is also serving up a very unique dish indeed which mixes together chocolate and croquette—a flavour that actually works, combining sweetness and bitterness. The croquette is made from potatoes. The brioche sandwich also contains cheese and bacon.

These are just some of the delights on show at BEL AMER Kyoto Villa this summer. If ever you’re in Kyoto, be sure to stop by, especially in the summer.

The cheesecake—a popular dessert with a flavour that is both rich and refreshing. The number of shops in Japan specialising in cheesecakes has been on the rise recently, all of whom are baking up their own unique versions. Here are three summertime cheesecakes available online in Japan from three popular cheesecake shops.

Mr. CHEESECAKE

This summer, Mr. CHEESECAKE has whipped up a seasonal “Hirami Lemon” flavoured cheesecake which they are selling in limited quantities via their official LINE account from July 12 to 19. The cheesecake is packaged in a special box featuring an illustration of the summertime ocean.

Made with refreshing hirami lemons, the cheesecake has a sour and slightly bitter kick to it. By combining Japanese sansho pepper and olive oil, the sourness of the hirami lemon is elevate to new heights. Mint is also added to up the refreshing flavour, and salt from Okinawa heightens the sweetness of the cheesecake.

Mr. CHEESECAKE hirami lemon

Price: ¥5,400 (Tax Included)
Official Website: https://mr-cheesecake.com/

Neko Neko Cheesecake

Neko Neko Cheesecake, a cheesecake shop which opened in Tokyo in May, serves cat-shaped cheesecakes. This summer-only cheesecake is made using setonai lemons. It was released on Friday and will be sold in limited quantities only.

​The cheesecake has lemon jelly in the middle and is topped with sliced lemons grown in the Seto Inland Sea area that are baked together with the cake. It’s finished with a smear of lemon jam and cream, making for a real summertime treat.

Neko Neko Cheesecake ~Setonai Lemon~
Online

Release Date: July 1, 2020

Price: Single ¥3,800 / Lemon & Plan ¥5,980

Online Store: https://hbantique.official.ec

In-Store

Release Date: July 3, 2020

Price: Single ¥2,200

Available: Neko Neko Cheesecake in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo

LeTAO

Confectionery shop LeTAO has released their popular “Melon Double” cheesecake again this summer.

A popular cheesecake released every year by LeTAO, the Melon DOuble is a sweet baked cheesecake made with individual layers of melon puree and mascarpone cream cheese. The refreshing sweetness of the melon goes hand in hand with the cheese.

Melon Double ~Hokkaido Melon~
Price: ¥1,728 (Tax Included) *Shipping fee ¥890
Available: Until August 31, 2020
Product Details: https://shop.letao.jp/item/F695.html

For this summer only, a limited-time gourmet shaved ice shop called “VERMICULAR PREMIUM SHAVED ICE SALON” is opening up inside VERMICULAR VILLAGE in Nagoya from July 2 to September 13.

The exquisite shaved ice options are topped with fruit confitures which are made without any water involved, allowing for the original flavour of the fruits to come through, as well as adzuki beans cooked with Vermicular cookware, and more. The shaved ice is served inside Vermicular’s high quality mini pots, which have been kept cool, meaning the ice doesn’t melt when it’s put inside, meaning it stays nice and fluffy until the end.

There are three to pick from, and underneath each the shaved ice is a blancmange which goes hand in hand with the shaved ice flavours.

Strawberry, Pistachio, & Condensed Milk: ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

This ice pot is topped with a strawberry jam which was made using no water, and pistachios—which go really well with the fruity confiture. At the very bottom is a condensed milk blancmange, making it delicious down to the last spoonful.

Nishio Matcha, Adzuki Beans, Brown Cane Sugar Warabimochi, & Houjicha: ¥1,500 (Before Tax)

Next is a matcha flavoured shaved ice pot made with adzuki beans and matcha grown in Nishio, Aichi. Sat at the bottom of the pile is a houjicha tea blancmange and brown cane sugar warabimochi.

Mango, Passion Fruit, & Coconut: ¥1,300 (Before Tax)

Lastly is a mango and passion fruit sauce covered shaved ice with coconut milk and a topping of fresh mango. At the bottom is a coconut blancmange.

Shiseido Parlour began its annual “Midsummer Parfait Fair” at its Ginza, Tokyo branch on Wednesday which will run until August 30 and be divided into two different slots serving different parfaits. The cafe is serving up a selection of parfaits made from ice cream and local seasonal fruits under the trust that the chefs and farmers have built over the years.

2020 Midsummer Parfait Fair: Slot ① July 1, 2020 – July 31, 2020

Furano, Hokkaido – Furano Melon Parfait: ¥2,100 (Tax Included)

This parfait is made using Furamon melon which is grown in Hokkaido’s city of Furano between the mountains where there is a major temperature difference. The melon is ripened after being harvested and so make it nice and soft, giving a sweet and juicy flavour and fragrance.

Sakai Nouen, Wakayama – Arakawa Peach Parfait: ¥2,300 (Tax Included)

The “Arakawa” peach is a brand of peach grown in Wakayama Precture. The peaches are grown until their nearly completely ripe while in the tree, giving them a soft texture. Inside the sweet flavour is a sour kick, both of which explode with the juiciness of the peach in the parfait.

Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa – Apple Mango Parfait: ¥2,700 (Tax Included)

The “apple mango” is a type of mango grown in the hot climate of Okinawa. The mango has a super soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture and a sour tinge which elevates its rich sweetness.

Hatake Kobo, Nagano Prefecture – Koihime Strawberry Parfait: ¥2,000 (Tax Included)

The “koihime” is a type of summer strawberry grown in-house by Shiseido Parlour. The strawberries get plenty of water, air, and sunlight so they grow into red jewels packed full of sweetness.

The second slot of the 2020 Midsummer Parfait Fair will run from August 1 to August 30.

Q-pot. and Q-pot CAFE. introduced a special cherry parfait to its menu on June 27 to help support cherry farmers whose work has been affected by COVID-19.

Due to less people travelling and sightseeing around Japan as a result of the lockdown and self-isolation practices, orders for cherries are being cancelled, and many festivals across Japan too are being cancelled, all of which is having a huge affect on the country’s cherry industry.

The current season is the best time to enjoy Japan’s juicy cherries, and so Q-pot CAFE. has teamed up with a cherry farm in Yamagata, a prefecture famous for its cherries.

Cherry Cherry Parfait (w/Drink): ¥1,850 (Tax Included)

The “Cherry Cherry Parfait” is topped with snow-white whipped cream, crunchy meringue, and cherries for a gorgeous contrast of red and white.

The cherries used are considered a high-grade type called “satonishiki” which has been dubbed the “King of Cherries.” They sit gracefully atop their kingdom of sweet ingredients including salt milk ice cream, chocolate, cherry jam, sponge cake, and panna cotta.

The cherry farmers are taking all the necessary safety precautions against COVID-19 while they continue to delivery delicious cherries to the people of Japan.

For this year’s summer season only, Tokyo-based Italian restaurant Terrace Dining TANGO is serving three original shaved ice desserts from July 1 to August 31.

Terrace Dining TANGO is a restaurant located in The Place of Tokyo, a wedding venue that faces Tokyo Tower. Every summer, the restaurant serves special limited-time shaved ice. They use water with absolutely no impurities that is frozen slowly over a period of 48 hours. This is turned into fluffy shaved ice which the restaurant’s patissiers drizzle in specially-made sauces. This year includes their popular brown sugar syrup-drizzled brown bear shaved ice which is always well received for its cute appearance, as well as their regular strawberry milk flavour, and a new apricot kernel and mango sauce shaved ice.

Brown Bear w/Brown Sugar Syrup: ¥950 (Before Tax/Service Charge)

An original shaved ice conceived by Terrace Dining TANGO which never fails to put smiles of the faces of its customers every year. This year they are adding a Japanese taste to it with a houjicha tea syrup sauce. Inside the fluffy shaved ice is condensed milk and chewy tapioca. If you let the shaved ice melt it becomes like bubble tea with the tapioca pearls.

Strawberry Milk: ¥850 (Before Tax/Service Charge)

A classic serving of TANGO’s strawberry milk shaved ice, doused in a specially-made strawberry syrup and rich condensed milk. Hidden in the centre is a condensed milk cream, strawberry jelly, and fresh strawberries.

Apricot Kernel Milk w/Mango Sauce: ¥850 (Before Tax/Service Charge)

This shaved ice is topped with melt-in-the-mouth apricot kernel cream and lots of fruity mango sauce for a sweet and sour punch.

Terrace Dining TANGO is a great place to visit after going to Tokyo Tower, so if you’re in Tokyo this summer then cool yourself off with some refreshing shaved ice.

IMADA KITCHEN in SHIBUYA109 has teamed up with Hattendo Cafe to co-create the new “Torokeru Kuma-san Pancakes” (Melty Mr. Beat Pancakes) which will be served from July 1, 2020 to August 30, 2020.

IMADA KITCHEN is a food project that aims to create original food in Shibuya. Together with Hattendo, a Hiroshima brand known for its incredible cream pastries, they have created a super cute bear design pancake. Bear designs are popular with young girls in Japan.

Torokeru Kuma-san Pancake: ¥450 (Before Tax)

The fluffy pancakes are filled with melt-in-the-mouth, handmade custard cream, meaning a single bite lets you enjoy both the moist texture of the pancake and the melty drizzle of the custard cream. Your mouth is instantly filled with flavours of maple syrup and egg, which when combined with the accompanying berries makes for a sweet amalgamation of deliciousness.

Torokeru Koro Tama Kuma Sandwich: ¥450 (Before Tax)

Normally, you would have to go to Hiroshima to try Hattendo Cafe’s “Torokeru Koro Tama Kuma Sandwich,” but now it will be available to try at IMADA KITCHEN. Made with the cafe’s “cream bread,” this moist sandwich is filled with egg salad, korokke, and cabbage for a hearty meal.

Kyoto’s famous tea shop Itohkyuemon began serving four new Uji matcha and shaved ice mixed desserts on its menu yesterday (June 29). Itohkyuemon was founded in 1832 in the latter period of Edo. Ujitawara, the place in Kyoto where the shop is located, is famous for the tea served by Itohkyuemon which has been harvested by the Ito family for years.

Uji Matcha Parfait Ice: ¥1,490 (Tax Included) | Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station/Itohkyuemon Gionshijo

The Uji Matcha Parfait Ice uses a blend of matcha and milk-infused ice as its base. It’s then topped with sweet treats like rice flour dumplings, red bean paste, ice cream, matcha jelly, and more to turn it into a parfait.

Uji Matcha Daifuku Ice: ¥1,290 (Tax Included) | Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station/Itohkyuemon Gionshijo

This Uji Matcha Daifuku Ice is an upgrade of the one Itohkyuemon served last year. It has a creamy custard base with matcha daifuku hidden in the shaved ice.

Fluffy Uji Kindokei Vanilla Ice Cream: ¥990, Matcha Ice Cream ¥1,090 (Tax Included) | Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station/Itohkyuemon Gionshijo

Fluffy Uji Kindokei Rice Flour Dumpling: ¥850, Rice Flour Dumpling & Vanilla Ice Cream ¥970, Rice Flour Dumpling Matcha Ice Cream ¥1,090 Serving: Until Late September 2020 | Avaialble: Itohkyuemon Uji Main Branch

These two “Kindokei” (Gold Watch) servings use more ice. At the main branch of Itohkyuemon they’re more crunchy, while at the JR Uji Station and Gionshijo branches they’re more fluffy.

Q-pot CAFE. is celebrating Japan’s Tanabata festival with a limited-time menu which was introduced on June 27.

Romantic Star Plate w/Drink: ¥2,060 (Tax Included)

This starry delight is plated with a fromage blanc filled with ganache cream and peach jelly. There’s star-shaped meringue macarons filled with cream, creamy blueberry and blackcurrant panna cotta, star-shaped chocolate to represent the Tanabata deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, and a luxurious Q-pot CAFE. macaron.

さらに、レモンの皮を練り込み、サクッと焼き上げた星型クッキーには短冊のようにグラサージュショコラで願い事を込めて・・・クッキーを残さず口にすれば、願いもきっと叶うはず！

Romantic Peach & Elderflower Soda: ¥750 (Tax Included)

Refresh yourself with a summery glass of this peach and elderflower soda which is filled with blue, purple, and pink transparent jelly which twinkle like a kaleidoscope.

Bottled Drinks (Takeout Only): ¥1,296 Each (Tax Included) *Limited quantity available / *¥100 off if you take your own bottle

Enjoy a takeout bottle of “Aurora Lychee Tea Soda” with its romantic pink, purple, and blue gradation. This herb tea changes colour like magic, and contains marrow cheese plant, lychee puree, and Blue Curacao. The twinkling pearl powder makes it glow like an aurora.

There is also bottled Strawberry Tea Soda, Ginger Ice Milk Tea, and Honey Lemon Vinegar Soda.

If you’re in Tokyo this summer, head to Q-pot CAFE. to enjoy a round of pastel-coloured Tanabata confections and drinks.

Japanese cafe Komachi Chaya and bakery, cafe and restaurant Dear Bread Kamakura have collaborated to release 10 cool shaved ice flavours at i-ZA Kamakura, a shopping centre that’s just a 1-minute walk from Komachi Street in Kamakura.

10 Tasty Shaved Ice Recipes Combining Japanese & Western Flavours

Komachi Chaya, which is located on the 2nd floor of i-ZA Kamakura, has a diverse line-up including a hydrangea-inspired shaved ice. All of their options are made using in-house made syrup. Dear Bread Kamakura, which is located on the 1st floor of i-ZA Kamakura, is introducing a rich new shaved ice made using specially-made foam.

Hydrangea: ¥1,420 / With Rice Flour Dumpling Ice Cream ¥1,630 (Tax Included)

This vivid blue shaved ice is inspired by Kamakura’s famous hydrangea flowers. It comes with lemon syrup which changes the shaved ice into a beautiful purple. You can pick two syrups from six to combine and create new and tasty flavours.

Whole Strawberry Sagahonoka: ¥1,100 / With Rice Flour Dumpling Ice Cream ¥1,310 (Tax Included)

The Sagahonoka has a super sweet taste and is made with an unheated strawberry syrup. It’s topped with fat and juicy strawberries and served with condensed milk.

Komachi Chaya is serving a total of 7 flavours. As well as the ones above, there’s an Uji matcha flavour, a plum pick made from two types of plums, and more.

Strawberry Milk Foam: ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

Dear Bread Kamakura’s shaved ices are made using foam. The strawberry one is made using in-house strawberry syrup and is topped with milk foam, giving it a cute appearance like light snowfall. The combination of strawberry and cream also gives it a taste similar to shortcake.

Brown Sugar Syrup Matcha: ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

Doused in a rich and sweet brown sugar syrup and covered in a matcha flavoured foam made with Uji matcha from Kyoto, this fluffy shaved ice has a slight bitter bite from the matcha which is balanced against the sweet syrup and red bean paste.

Dear Bread Kamakura will also serve a mango flavour made with two different homemade syrups instead of foam.

i-ZA Kamakura is maintaining social distancing measures as a precaution against COVID-19. The shopping complex has expanded its wooden deck terrace seating area as well as its eating-in space so customers can feel at ease.

A new shaved ice shop by the name of Kakigoori Parlor Floche is now open on the 8th floor food arena “The PARK SHINJUKU” inside LUMINE EST Shinjuku for a limited time until August 31, 2020.

Kakigoori Parlor Floche is inspired by floche, a cake served at a Japanese cafe in the 70s and 80s which they have turned into shaved ice. Its luxurious taste is similar to a cake, with an appearance that’s sure to have you smiling when it arrives at the table. It’s topped generously with cream, creating a cake x shaved ice fusion.

“Floche” is a French word meaning fluffy, a fitting name for a shop specialising in serving sweet and fluffy shaved ice. They have prepared three different flavours: Tiramisu, Shortcake, and Japone.

Shortcake: ¥980 (Before Tax)

Tiramisu: ¥830 (Before Tax)

Japone: ¥880 (Before Tax)

If you’re in Tokyo this summer, don’t miss out on this delicious and refreshing line-up.

Gong cha’s limited-time “Houjicha Milk Tea” and “Genmaicha Milk Tea” beverages are popular each year, and they returned once again on June 17.

Japanese Tea

Gong cha’s menu item “Japanese Tea” was released in 2018 exclusively for Japan, and is enjoyed every year during its annual limited-time run. Made using tea leaves from Japan, its authentic taste and aroma has people begging for more when the year’s run is up.

2 Flavours This Year

Houjicha Milk Tea (Regular Size: ¥470) / Recommended Topping: Milk Foam (+¥70) | Serving: From June 17, 2020 for a limited time

The Houjicha Milk Tea is the iconic drink of Gong cha’s “Japanese Tea” series. It’s a blend the best high quality houjicha and kukicha tea leaves, both of which are grown in Shizuoka Prefecture. Roasting and using them together gives a sweet and deeply rich aroma. Add milk foam as a topping and you’ve got yourself a rich milk tea.

Genmaicha Milk Tea (Regular Size: ¥470) / Recommended Tapioca (+¥70) | Serving: From June 17, 2020 for a limited time

The Genmaicha Milk Tea is an original blend of Japanese genmai rice and tea leaves from Shizuoka Prefecture. This milk tea keeps the original delicious flavour of the tea and wafts a fragrant rice aroma.