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Kakigori (Shaved ice) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

  • Nara Prefecture

    Kakigori (Shaved ice)

Kakigori (Shaved ice)

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  • Kakigori (Shaved ice)
    DOWNLOAD

    Image source: Kakigori Hosekibako

  • Kakigori (Shaved ice)
    DOWNLOAD

    Image source: Kakigori Hosekibako

  • Kakigori (Shaved ice)
    DOWNLOAD

    Image source: Kakigori Hosekibako

  • Main lore areas

    Entire prefecture

  • Main ingredients used

    Ice, syrup, etc.

  • History/origin/related events

    The syrup is poured over fluffy shaved ice which is created in such shops. There is a reason why "shaved ice" in Nara Prefecture is becoming a new food fad.

    Himuro Shrine in Nara City is said to have originated in the 3rd year of the Wado era (710) when the capital was moved to Heijokyo, when the "ice god" was enshrined on a huge stone called "Tsukihiiwa" in the upper reaches of the "Yoshiki River" that flows near Mt. Wakakusa. An ice chamber was set up in Tsukihijiwa, and a ceremony was held for about 70 years in the summer to present the precious ice to the Heijo Palace. For this reason, Himuro Shrine is still known as a sacred place for ice, and every year in May, ice makers from all over the country gather to pray for prosperous business, and icicles embedded with flowers and fish are offered to the deity. There is also a Himuro shrine in Tenri City, and an ice offering festival is held there on July 1.

    In addition, in the 42nd paragraph of The Pillow Book written by Sei Shōnagon "Atenaru mono", it is written that "put shaved ice in a new gold bowl", which indicates that "finely shaved ice with amazura is very elegant", and it can be seen that the Heian aristocracy used to cool off with shaved ice in the summer. It is said that in those days "shaved ice" was eaten with amazura, a sweetener.

  • Opportunities and times of eating habits

    Currently, it is sold all year round at cafes, restaurants, and other eateries, but it is more popular in summer.

  • How to eat

    Many famous restaurants serve shaved ice, and many restaurants sell shaved ice all year round. Since it is one of the leading strawberry-producing areas, items using strawberries from Nara are especially popular.

  • Efforts for Preservation and Succession

    It is offered at restaurants and during festivals in tourist spots in Nara Prefecture. In recent years, shaved ice has become popular as a summer sweet, and the number of photogenic creative shaved ice is increasing. In addition, the "Himuroshirayuki Festival", which is regarded as one of Nara's food culture hotspots with the desire to promote Nara as a city of ice, has many famous "shaved ice" stores in and outside Nara Prefecture and is crowded with many visitors every year.

Contact

Food Cultures Office, Overseas Market Development and Food Cultures Division, Food Industry Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Tel:+81-3-3502-5516

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