Summer x Green Tea x Shaved Ice = Chagori Bliss

Why not cool off with a cup of green tea during Shizuoka’s hot summer? You can do just that with the refreshing, icy mouthfeel of chagori—or Shizuoka green tea shaved ice. Chagori is a portmanteau of the words cha (tea) and kakigori (shaved ice), which, when combined make a delicious summer treat unlike any other. What makes chagori so special?

Nigakunaikoucha Tea Specialty Store

Japanese summer is known for its sticky humidity and high temperatures. So, as you can imagine, shaved ice is a wonderful way to beat the heat and cool down. Combine this fact along with Shizuoka being home to some of the best tea in all of Japan and you have a winning combination. In fact, there are more than 50 shops in Shizuoka that offer their own chagori, meaning you won’t be hard-pressed to find the sweet icy retreat. Every year sees sales of more than 30,000 bowls of chagori in just three months—from July to September! Discover your favorite variety, and embark on a sweet and icy retreat.

Cha no Me

With so many Shizuoka shops participating in the chagori mania, you can try many variants of chagori. Will you end up preferring classic chagori with a scoop of red bean paste and sticky soft mochi on the side? Or maybe you’ll opt for the taste of rich matcha chagori covered with cream-and-strawberry spume. For an elevated chagori experience, you can even enjoy a delicious platter of shaved ice, manju (soft wheat dough with a sweet filling), and grilled or fried dango (dumplings) featuring flavors such as honey-lemon tea, matcha, salted caramel, sesame, and red pepper! The recipe combinations are almost limitless and you’ll only get the summertime to try them all.

Now, you may be asking yourself, “Where should I go?” To help with your culinary journey, we recommend visiting chagori.com or perusing our suggestions below. Find your next favorite chagori eatery, and discover the refreshing powers of this cherished summertime treat!

Mountain Area