53-year-old popular shaved ice shop where you can try Japan’s most dreamy kakigori & an orange Mount Fuji

Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Japan

As the weather gets warmer, it’s once again the season for ice treats. The shaved ice shop “Nakai Shave Ice” in Shinjingu, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, not only serves up Japan’s most dreamy ice dessert but also uses ice made from clean, high-quality water—so it won’t give you a brain freeze and is gentle enough even for those with sensitive teeth. It’s a must-visit shaved ice spot in Wakayama during the summer.

▲ The super-popular shaved ice shop “Nakai Shave Ice” in Wakayama Prefecture.

▲ “Nakai Shave Ice” offers over 10 flavors of shaved ice.

With a history of 53 years, Nakai Shave Ice has maintained enduring popularity in Shinjingu City. The shop specializes in a variety of colorful shaved ice. The owner explains that the ice used is made from natural water sourced from the nearby Kuzuryu River and processed into pure ice by being whipped with air for 72 hours. This is the shop’s biggest feature—eating the ice won’t cause headaches.

▲%A beautifully crafted piece of kakigori styled as “Japan’s most dreamy ice.”

The shop offers around 10 varieties of shaved ice, with the most popular being the “Watermelon Shaved Ice Stick.” A special mold is filled with bamboo skewers, then packed with plenty of shaved ice and shaped by hand pressing. The mold is then pressed firmly to create a watermelon shape, and finally drizzled with vibrant green and pink syrups to complete the watermelon shaved ice stick. Its eye-catching design has earned it the title of Japan’s most dreamy ice dessert. You can enjoy it like a popsicle using the bamboo skewer or scoop it with a spoon—the fun ways to eat it are endless.

▲%A beautifully sculpted shaved ice created through careful craftsmanship.

Wakayama is also one of Japan’s top orange-producing prefectures, so the shop uses 100% orange juice made from local oranges. The juice is generously poured over the shaved ice, creating a small “orange Mount Fuji” in the bowl. Its sweet and tangy flavor is another must-try at Nakai Shave Ice.

Nakai Shave Ice
Address: 551-12 Shinjingu, Shingu City, Wakayama
Business hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM