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The Most Refreshing Japanese Summer
It is well known that the life of the Japanese is governed by the rhythm of the four seasons. And food, as an important cultural element, naturally adapts to this rhythm. That’s why in summer, when the heat and humidity are intense, the Japanese try to cool off as much as possible, opting for cooler foods and beverages. During summer festivals, for example, kakigori is king. It is common to see thousands of Japanese people enjoying shaved ice with flavoured syrups while strolling in yukata or watching fireworks. It’s also common to eat cold soba noodles, perhaps accompanied by mugicha, a cold barley tea. Or maybe enjoy a sake or shochu cocktail, or even a yuzu lemonade on a riverside terrace—could it be any more refreshing? Below, we share five details about summer in Japan. We also highlight five places in Tokyo to enjoy the Japanese summer featured in the Netflix series Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman… Enjoy the series while sipping something at Panda Patisserie and feel like you’re in Japan!
Summarised in 5 Details
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The
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Known as semi, cicadas are the true soundtrack of the Japanese summer. There are dozens of different varieties, and they are so prominent in Japan during summer that many Japanese can distinguish them by their song, like the famous min, min, min, min…
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The
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If cicadas are the soundtrack of the Japanese summer, matsuri festivals are the soul. In summer, the Japanese enjoy their festivals much like we enjoy our town festivals or major celebrations in Spain. Parade floats, regional dances, food stalls, and game booths transform the streets.
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Mount
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July and August are the only two months when the trails to the summit of Mount Fuji are open to hikers. That’s why, during these two summer months, dozens of hikers climb the various trails of this sacred mountain at night to watch the sunrise from the top, where time almost seems to stand still.
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The
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The "fire flowers" (literal translation of hanabi, fireworks) light up the summer skies in nearly two-hour displays that bring together thousands of Japanese. Wearing a yukata and sitting by the river to enjoy street food while watching the fireworks is a summer must.
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The
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When the heat starts to intensify, the Japanese hang wind chimes called furin on windows, terraces, and gardens. Made of glass, ceramic, or metal, these chimes ring when a breeze passes by, so for a Japanese person, their sound provides some relief from the humid summer heat.
5 Products, 5 Recommendations
| 1 | Ice
Kakigori |
At our first stop on this Tokyo culinary tour, feel like Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman from Netflix and enjoy a delicious kakigori at Kooriya Peace. Located in the Kichijoji area, very close to Inokashira Park and the Ghibli Museum, this spot specializing in kakigori seats only 8 diners. You’ll easily spot it because there’s always a line, even in winter! But it’s no wonder: the shaved ice at Kooriya Peace not only melts in your mouth but also comes with all kinds of toppings, seasonal creations, and delicious artisanal syrups like Yuzu. Even if you go back, your visit will never be the same.
We can't bring kakigori to your home, but you can enjoy a Japanese ice cream with a simple trick: take home our mochi boxes and freeze them when they arrive! Our mochi is also delicious frozen!
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| 2 | Cold
Soba |
Enjoy a refreshing cold soba in the heart of Tokyo at the second stop on our tour: Karashibi Sobaya. Located in the charming Yanaka neighbourhood, Karashibi specialises in soba with a twist: you can choose from various broths or dips to accompany your cold noodles. The space is cozy, and while the cold soba is great on its own, adding a bit of extra flavour makes it even more enjoyable.
While we can’t bring soba to you, we do have our delicious yatsuhashi with matcha available, perfect as a refreshing summer treat!
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| 3 | Barley
Mugicha |
For a traditional Japanese beverage, head to Yamaguchi Honten, a store renowned for its barley tea in the Asakusa area. With a variety of flavours to choose from and tea brewed fresh daily, you’ll experience a refreshing and authentic taste of Japan. It’s a popular spot with locals, so you’ll feel like part of the neighbourhood while sipping on your mugicha.
While you can’t visit Japan right now, you can still enjoy our iced green tea and refreshing teas at home!
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| 4 | Sake
Shochu Cocktails |
At the fourth stop, you can visit Hasegawa Saketen, known for its quality sake and shochu cocktails in the lively Shibuya area. With a wide selection of drinks, this place is ideal for trying different kinds of shochu and sake cocktails, perfect for a summer evening.
Our matcha and sake products can bring a taste of Japan to you even if you’re not in Tokyo. Enjoy them at home!
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| 5 | Yuzu
Lemonade |
And for our final stop, visit Anndo, where you can savour refreshing yuzu lemonade. This drink is perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Located in Harajuku, Anndo offers a unique and refreshing experience with its yuzu-infused drinks, a true taste of summer in Japan.
While you can’t visit Anndo, our refreshing yuzu lemonade is available for you to enjoy at home. Give it a try!
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