Hyperlocal Tokyo

I visited on a Saturday afternoon in July 2024. It was a sweltering hot day, so there were fewer people in Asakusa than usual. And, to my surprise, there was only one group waiting in line at this shop, which is always packed. I thought, 'This is a sign! I have to go in!' So, dripping with sweat, I joined the line, my eyes fixed on the tempting ice cream samples displayed outside. After about 10 minutes, I was finally inside. The air conditioning inside was so powerful that my sweat instantly evaporated, and I started sneezing. I was supposed to be here for shaved ice, but now I was feeling a bit under the weather. The menu and a warm cup of tea arrived, which helped me calm down. I decided to stick to my original plan and ordered the milk shaved ice with mochi toppings. When it arrived, it came with a separate plate and a fork. I was a bit taken aback by this, wondering if I was supposed to eat it with a fork. The shaved ice had condensed milk on the surface, but not in the middle, so be careful how you eat it. Adding condensed milk for 100 yen would be a good idea. My wife did that, and I was a little envious. It was delicious. By the way, they only accept cash.

A popular shop! I went to this anmitsu (sweet bean jelly) shop based on a friend's recommendation. There's a bamboo grove, which gives the place a sense of depth! Since I was strolling through Asakusa with my friend in a yukata, it felt like a trip, which was amazing!! The anmitsu was delicious 😋 and I had shiratama (glutinous rice balls) for the first time in a while!

Izumi, a highly recommended sweet shop in Asakusa, offers a tranquil atmosphere reminiscent of a bamboo forest. The traditional Japanese sweets are exquisite, each one meticulously crafted. The staff is incredibly attentive and courteous. I was particularly impressed by their kind and patient service to international tourists who may not be fluent in Japanese, given Asakusa's popularity as a tourist destination. The Uji kin-tō (green tea and red bean) shaved ice was exceptional, with the matcha being freshly whisked upon ordering. It was a truly delightful experience.

This is a sweet shop I often visit when I come to Kaminarimon Street. Depending on the time of day, you can usually get in without waiting too long, but since there were three of us, we had to wait about 20 minutes. I ordered the Uji Kin-Tō with mochi toppings, and the strawberry and apricot shaved ice. All the flavors were very rich and didn't get diluted at all, so we enjoyed them to the very last bite. They only accept cash for payment, so you can't use credit cards or electronic money.

I visited this place during my trip. The interior isn't very spacious, and the seating is cozy, so you're close to your neighbors, but the atmosphere is really nice. It was a hot day, but they served warm tea, which surprised me at first, but after eating the anmitsu, the warm tea was a welcome relief.