Tokyo has just gone through the longest heat wave on history, eight days of temperatures over 35 degrees. One way to cool down in Japanese summers is with shaved ice, kakigōri. Look for the simple kanji sign 氷, usually written in a bright red kanji on a square blue and white flag.
We live out on the Chūo line and did not have the energy to head into the city. Cafe Cula in Koganei uses tennen (natural) ice. It is very delicate and melts quickly so you have to dig in. The sweet sauces are all made from scratch. I went with passionfruit and the tart and aromatic fruit was just what I needed. I am spoiled to have had such nice ice and am afraid others will be disappointing after this one.
Cafe Cula only has a handful of seats inside and the rest of the seating is outdoors under shade. It is open from 2-5 p.m. from mid-July to the end of August.
Cafe Cula
Koganei-shi, Nukui Minami-cho 1-25-4 小金井市貫井南町1-25-4
www.ristoranteosawa.com/pg95.html
Some other shops for kakigori in the city:
https://foodsaketokyo.com/2011/07/29/digging-into-an-ice-cold-kakigori/
https://foodsaketokyo.com/2010/08/22/kakigori-shaved-ice-%E6%B0%B7/
Food Sake Tokyo 