The “Kakigori Koshien 2024,” a gathering of summer’s iconic shaved ice treats, is now taking place at Hamakita Sweets Community nicoe in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture!…

The “Kakigori Koshien 2024,” a gathering of summer’s iconic shaved ice treats, is now taking place at Hamakita Sweets Community nicoe in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture!

Now in its 7th year, this event brings together a variety of shaved ice made with delicious ingredients from across Japan, making it a must-visit summer highlight for kakigori fans.

This year, we take a closer look at the Kakigori Koshien at nicoe, where visitors can enjoy 51 types of shaved ice made with carefully selected ingredients from all 47 prefectures of Japan.

What is the Kakigori Koshien 2024 at nicoe?

Held at nicoe in Somechidai, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, the “Kakigori Koshien 2024” is a popular summer event now in its seventh year.

From Wednesday, June 26 to Sunday, September 1, 2024, a total of 51 types of kakigori made with carefully selected ingredients from all 47 prefectures of Japan will be on display, offering a refreshing taste of summer.

During the event, the kakigori are divided across nine different stages, each showcasing a variety of flavors!

Last year’s champion, the “Amaou Strawberry” kakigori, will also make a return—available during the 7th stage from Wednesday, August 7 to Sunday, August 18, and again in the final week from Wednesday, August 28 to Sunday, September 1.

I went to check out the Kakigori Koshien at nicoe myself!

This summer has already seen scorching days with temperatures topping 40℃ even in July.

Wanting to cool down with some delicious shaved ice, I headed straight to Kakigori Koshien 2024.

I visited on a weekday afternoon in July.

Even though it was just before the summer holidays, nicoe was already buzzing with visitors, and Kakigori Koshien had about a 20-minute wait.

Although there was a bit of a wait, the system made it easy—once you receive a numbered ticket, you’re free to explore the facility while you wait, so you can relax and stay cool indoors until your turn.

In August, when summer vacation is in full swing, the event attracts crowds from the morning hours.

If you’d like to minimize your wait time, the best bet is to visit around 10:00 a.m. when nicoe first opens, or around lunchtime.

Shaved Ice Made Fresh at the Live Kitchen

The Kaigori Koshien 2024 takes place inside the event space at nicoe.

Here, you can watch as your order is crafted right before your eyes in a live kitchen style, adding a sense of excitement and anticipation to the experience.

At nicoe’s Shaved Ice Koshien, every serving is made with Hamamatsu Junpyo ice.

Hamamatsu Junpyo is a crystal-clear ice made by slowly freezing the underground spring water of the Tenryu River, which originates from the Southern Alps.

Shaved into flakes, it creates a delightfully fluffy and light texture.

This time, I went for the Kawagoe Sweet Potato Shaved Ice!

The Kawagoe Sweet Potato shaved ice is available from Thursday, July 18 to Sunday, July 21, 2024.

The shaved ice features a gentle, naturally sweet sweet potato sauce perfectly paired with a slightly bitter caramel sauce, creating a dessert reminiscent of a classic sweet potato treat.

The sweet potato chips on top look just like little rabbit ears, adding a cute touch that’s perfect for photos!

The fluffy “Hamamatsu Junpyo” shaved ice melts in your mouth, and before I knew it, it was all gone!

At Kakigori Koshien 2024, you can enjoy creative combinations of new ingredients, a fusion of Japanese and Western flavors, and uniquely photogenic presentations that are a hallmark of the event!

From August onward, you can look forward to unique flavors you won’t find elsewhere, such as “dried persimmon” and “kabosu & mascarpone.”

Ample eat-in space available

You can enjoy your shaved ice in the comfortable eat-in area inside nicoe.

The eat-in area, arranged around the courtyard, lets you enjoy the lush, summery greenery of the garden while staying cool indoors—perfect for a relaxing break.

During the Kaki-gori Koshien 2024, part of the Italian restaurant THE COURTYARD KITCHEN is also open as an eat-in space, giving visitors even more room to enjoy their shaved ice.

It’s a real treat to be able to sit back and enjoy your shaved ice in the cool, comfortable indoor space.

Another shaved ice to enjoy at nicoe

During the summer season, nicoe also offers a different type of shaved ice: the “Kezuri Ice” from Gokokuya.

Gokokuya is a traditional Japanese confectionery brand operated by Shunkado.

They create healthy Japanese sweets that incorporate the traditional wisdom of “five grains” and fermentation, offering treats that are both delicious and good for the body.

At nicoe’s Gokokuya, two summer-only shaved ice flavors are available: “Peach & Plum with Bonito” and “Pure Strawberry.”

This time, I tried this year’s new flavor, “Peach & Plum with Bonito,” which offers a delightful taste of traditional Japanese flavors.

The kakigōri from Gokokuya is made using natural ice from “Yondaime Tokujirō” in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture.

Thanks to the natural ice, it has an exceptionally soft texture that melts smoothly in your mouth, offering a refreshing chill.

On top of the kakigōri, Gokokuya’s popular five-grain senbei, “Yamamusubi (Ume-Katsuo),” is added as a topping, offering a delightful contrast in texture with the fluffy ice and smooth cream.

Inside the kakigōri, there’s a puree made with peach fruit and white bean paste, so each bite brings a new burst of flavor, making it delicious to the very last spoonful!

Be sure to enjoy Gokokuya’s kakigōri along with the Kakigōri Koshien 2024 for a full summer treat!

More Fun at nicoe

Inside Nicoe, you’ll find a variety of shops offering sweets crafted by Shunkado, as well as a well-equipped kids’ area, making it a perfect spot to enjoy with the whole family.

Even while waiting for the Kakigōri Koshien, you won’t get bored, and on your way out, we recommend stopping by the shops to pick up some souvenirs.

SHOP Shunkado also offers nicoe-exclusive items.

At SHOP Shunkado, you can find “freshly baked dorayaki” that’s available exclusively at nicoe.

The dorayaki, made with batter freshly cooked right in front of you, offers an exceptionally delicious taste!

These popular items often sell out quickly, so be sure to stop by early.

In the fresh confectionery section, the limited-edition nicoe Roll is a favorite.

The astonishing 50 cm-long roll cake is perfect for birthdays or home parties!

Of course, you’ll also find Shunkado’s classic souvenir, the famous “Unagi Pie.”

The kids’ area is sure to delight the little ones!

At nicoe, children can have fun at the dedicated play space, “Playground 082.”

The space features large educational toys made from locally sourced Tenryu cedar thinning wood, giving it a warm, natural feel—almost like a secret hideout in the forest!

You can also enjoy plenty of outdoor fun at the large playground “Kururi no Mori,” where kids can run around and play freely.

The playground is surrounded by trees in the nicoe Garden, creating a relaxing space where visitors can enjoy a leisurely moment.

During the summer, tents are set up on the terrace, providing a perfect spot to enjoy your shaved ice while keeping an eye on children playing outside.

This time, we introduced Nicoe’s “Kakigōri Koshien 2024,” a must-visit event to enjoy during the hot summer months.

The Kakigōri Koshien 2024 runs until Sunday, September 1!

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy unique shaved ice creations made with delicious ingredients from all across Japan.

nicoe Facility Information

Address: 6-7-11 Somejidai, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi

Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

*Please check the official website for open days.

Phone: 053-586-4567 (Reception: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Official Website: https://www.nicoe.jp/