Kyoto & Nara’s Top 3 Shaved Ice Shops!Cool Down in Yukata｜Kimono & Yukata Rental by Rental Kimono Okamoto

The rainy season has ended, and summer has finally arrived.
In Kyoto, this is the season when you see many people out and about in colorful yukata and summer kimono rented from kimono shops.
Usually, Kyoto in this season is bustling with the Gion Festival, but just like last year, this year’s festivities are also being held on a smaller scale.
You may think that there aren’t many opportunities to wear kimono or yukata outside of festivals, but in recent years, more and more people have started enjoying them even for casual outings.
Summer is truly the season of yukata!
At Rental Kimono Okamoto, we have a wide selection of yukata and summer kimono, so why not dress up in yukata and enjoy the summer in Kyoto? ♪

Kyoto offers countless places to enjoy the summer, but today we’ll introduce something special for this season only—
shaved ice shops that you definitely want to visit while wearing yukata!

They serve shaved ice with all-handmade syrups made from seasonal fruits.
This time, we tried the year-round menu item “Fresh Strawberry” and the seasonal “Peach Shaved Ice.”

● Fresh Strawberry Shaved Ice
This colorful shaved ice comes topped with plenty of homemade condensed milk, making it one of their most popular items!
The gentle sweetness of the milk pairs perfectly with the fresh strawberries.
It’s a treat you’ll want to enjoy while wearing a yukata.
Be sure to eat it quickly before it melts!
● Peach Shaved Ice
Made with ripe Arakawa peaches turned into a light compote syrup, topped with juicy peach slices for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
You can even add fresh peach slices as an extra topping!
Imagine compote peaches with fresh peach on top—just the thought is mouthwatering.
(Depending on supply, fresh peach topping may not always be available.)

But what really sets Kanoko apart is the ice itself!
They offer two types of ice: natural ice and pure ice.
The peach shaved ice we tried was made entirely with natural ice.
Natural ice is created in mountain valleys where ponds are filled with spring water and slowly frozen over time, producing hard, crystal-clear ice with few impurities.
It’s a true artisan craft that takes time, effort, and the right natural conditions.
Because natural ice is harder, it can be shaved very thin, resulting in a fluffy texture.
You might wonder what makes it different from regular ice—but once you taste it, you’ll understand!
The fluffy texture is unlike anything else, melting gently in your mouth.
Another unique point: shaved ice made from natural ice is said to cause less of that sharp “brain freeze” sensation.
When comparing natural ice to pure ice, we indeed noticed that the natural ice version didn’t cause the usual “ouch!” feeling.
This makes it perfect even for those who normally avoid shaved ice.
Kanoko serves shaved ice all year round, with plenty of seasonal flavors to try throughout the year.
In addition to shaved ice, they also offer pancakes and a variety of drinks.
After enjoying a yukata rental at Rental Kimono Okamoto Kyoto Station West Store, be sure to stop by!
Kanoko
1-1 Suzaku Shokai-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (Kyoka Kaikan 211)
TEL: 075-708-7150
Hours: 11:00–17:30 (L.O. 17:00)
Closed: Irregular holidays

Established in 1883, Nakamura-ken is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop.
Located near Katsura Imperial Villa, Suzumushi Temple, and the Arashiyama-Sagano area, it’s a must-visit spot for sightseeing in Kyoto.
While they are famous for traditional sweets, in summer their shaved ice is so popular that tickets are distributed in advance.

Here we recommend their unique shaved ice made with the rare Kyoto vegetable “Katsura Uri.”
Katsura Uri Shaved Ice
You might wonder—what is Kyoto vegetable shaved ice?
Katsura Uri is a type of white gourd, typically weighing around 4 kg, and resembling a large daikon in size.
When ripe, it gives off a strong melon-like aroma, though its sweetness is subtle.
This vegetable was once nearly extinct, but Nakamura-ken now uses Katsura Uri cultivated at the local Katsura High School, which specializes in horticulture.
The pale green syrup creates a shaved ice with a delicate, gentle sweetness.
Add the accompanying sudachi syrup for a refreshing twist.
It may look simple compared to fruit-based shaved ice, but it’s truly a one-of-a-kind treat worth trying.
Nakamura-ken
61 Katsura Asahara-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto
TEL: 075-381-2650
Closed: Wednesdays (open on holidays)

If you want to venture a little further, we recommend Housekibako in Nara—featured even on the TV show The World Unknown to Matsuko.
Nara is home to Himuro Shrine, dedicated to the god of ice, and in recent years has become the center of a shaved ice boom.
From Kyoto Station, it’s just 45 minutes on the Kintetsu Line.
From Rental Kimono Okamoto Kyoto Station West Store, you can reach it in under an hour—perfect for a mini day trip!

They are famous for their espuma (foamed cream) shaved ice, but for Instagram-worthy photos, we suggest the Litmus Test Paper Shaved Ice.
Made with beautiful blue syrup from butterfly pea herbal tea, it’s topped with seasonal fruit and fluffy yogurt espuma.
Squeeze lemon over it, and watch the color transform from blue to red-purple—a magical sight!
Even inside the ice, you’ll find espuma and fruit, so every bite feels fresh and exciting.
Housekibako is extremely popular, and reservations are essential—but they do accept online bookings.

Housekibako
47 Mochiidono-cho, Nara City
TEL: 0742-93-4260
Hours: 10:00–11:50 (L.O.) / 13:00–16:50 (L.O.)
Closed: Thursdays
Reservation required

July 25 is Shaved Ice Day, established by the Japan Kakigori Association.
The date was chosen as a wordplay on natsugoori (summer ice: 7-2-5), and also because on July 25, 1933, Japan’s record-high temperature of 40.8℃ was recorded in Yamagata City.

The history of shaved ice in Japan goes back centuries.
In The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon (Heian period), there is a passage describing:
“Shaved ice mixed with amazura, served in a new metal dish.”
This shows that a form of shaved ice already existed at that time.
Back then, without freezers, ice was extremely rare and only available to aristocrats.
From the 5th–6th century, natural ice collected in winter was stored in himuro (ice storage houses) and offered to the Emperor.
It wasn’t until the Meiji era, with the development of transportation, that ice became widely available to the public.
Today’s familiar shaved ice carries with it this long history.

We’ve carefully selected three shops to introduce today.
Why not put on a yukata and enjoy shaved ice as part of your summer memories?
At Rental Kimono Okamoto, we have a large variety of yukata and summer kimono.
The best part is—you can come empty-handed and rent everything you need with ease.
We also offer convenient options like next-day return and hotel return, so even those traveling from afar can relax and enjoy kimono rental.
Our staff look forward to welcoming you!

Author of this article
Rental Kimono Okamoto Kiyomizu Higashiyama Store
110-9 Tatsumi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0855
TEL: 075-533-8900
Open daily 9:00–18:00 (Please return rentals by 17:50)
Website: www.okamoto-kimono.com
Instagram: @rentalkimonookamoto
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