Shaved ice with syrup or toppings is a standard summer dessert in Japan. Here at Hotel New Otani Tokyo, these delights are made with precious naturally-frozen ice from the mountains of Nikko, shaved to a texture that is soft and light as falling snow for a luxury summer indulgence.
In the winter, spring water from the Nikko mountains is drawn to a dedicated pool and left to freeze in the chill until it reaches a certain thickness. The process takes about two to three weeks, and involves constant care and attention including the removal of any debris, or stirring the water all night if the temperature is not low enough for it to freeze in even layers. The ice is then cut into large blocks, packed in sawdust, and stored in a traditional ice house until the early summer, by which they have melted to around half their original size.
The naturally-frozen spring-water ice renders a soft and fluffy texture like cotton candy, a mellow taste, and is less likely to cause ice cream headaches.
Until late September 2025
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Available hours: 11:30am-2:00pm (last orders) & 5:00pm-9:00pm (last orders)
Price: ¥2,800
Topped with a sauce made of the premium wasanbon sugar, the shaved ice hides shiratama dumplings, yokan jelly, and sweet bean paste, set off by the subtle accent of natural sea salt from Aogashima island .
Price: ¥3,500
The luxury strawberry sauce made 100% of Amaou strawberries brings out the natural sweetness of this precious fruit, and is a dainty in itself that strawberry lovers should not miss.
Price: ¥2,800
A fruity combination of mango jelly with fresh pulp, kuromitsu syrup jelly, and mango-kudzu sauce.
April 25-May 6, 2025
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Available hours: 11:00am-5:00pm
Price: ¥4,950
With generous cuts of fresh premium muskmelon, complemented with muskmelon gelee and fresh whipped cream from Omuta in Kyushu, this dainty is like an elaborately crafted cake.
Reservations & inquiries
Tel: 03-3265-1111
(via Operator)