Top 5 Japanese Summer Sweets You Must Try (Plus a Hidden Gem in Toyosu)

Enjoy a taste of Japanese summer with Éclat des Jours' Uji matcha ice cream

At the popular patisserie Éclat des Jours in Toyosu, Tokyo, you can enjoy rich Uji matcha ice cream, perfect for the hot season.

It uses plenty of high-quality matcha from Uji, Kyoto, and is not too sweet. The rich aroma and bittersweetness that spreads from the first bite is a taste that truly makes you feel like you're in Japanese summer. The melting smoothness and the deep richness that only matcha can have are exquisite, making it a recommended product not only for fans of Japanese sweets, but also for first-timers.

Store Information

Store name: Éclat des Jours Toyosu store Access: 3 minutes walk from Toyosu Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line

Business hours: Weekdays: 11:00-20:00 Saturdays and holidays: 10:00-20:00

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

From here, we will introduce some classic "cool Japanese sweets" that are enjoyed all over Japan.

These are all flavors that are quintessentially Japanese summer, and we hope you will encounter them during your trip.

Shaved Ice: A classic, cool dessert that is indispensable in the Japanese summer

Kakigori is a traditional Japanese summer dessert made by shaving ice into fluffy pieces and pouring syrup and toppings over it. It is enjoyed in a variety of places, including food stalls, festivals, cafes, and specialty shops.

Although it looks simple, there are many variations. From the classic strawberry and matcha to brown sugar kinako, mango, and tiramisu, you can enjoy the inventive flavors that each shop has created. The ones with shiratama (rice flour dumplings), red bean paste, condensed milk, and ice cream are also popular.

Compared to Western shave ice, the ice is extremely light and melts quickly the moment you put it in your mouth. It's a true "cool treat to eat," as it not only feels cold, but also gives you a taste of the coolness and seasonal feel of a Japanese summer.

Warabimochi | A Japanese sweet with a soft texture and fragrant soybean flour

Warabimochi is a traditional Japanese sweet that is eaten chilled, and has a unique jiggly, chewy texture that is different from jelly or pudding.

Originally made from bracken flour, its transparent appearance and cool mouthfeel make it perfect for summer. The classic way to finish it off is to sprinkle it with plenty of soybean flour and drizzle it with brown sugar syrup.

The taste is modest and gentle, with an excellent balance of aroma and natural sweetness. It goes well with Japanese tea, and recently new types of warabimochi with added matcha and fruit have appeared.

Anmitsu | A treasure trove of Japanese sweets made with agar, red bean paste, and fruit

Anmitsu is a Japanese summer sweet that has been popular in Japan for many years. It is made with cubes of agar, agar-agar base, smooth bean paste, shiratama dumplings, fruit, matcha ice cream, and more, and is topped off with brown sugar syrup.

This dessert, which can be called a "Japanese-style parfait," has a wide variety of textures and flavors, and its appeal is that you can enjoy several flavors on one plate. It also looks cool, and its beautiful presentation makes it perfect for photos.

They are served in a variety of styles, from traditional sweet shops to modern cafes, and are popular with people of all ages.

Chilled mitarashi dango | A sweet and salty Japanese dessert that can be enjoyed in the summer

Mitarashi dango is a classic sweet that is widely enjoyed in Japan; it consists of skewered dumplings coated in a sweet and spicy soy sauce-based sauce.

Did you know that these dango can also be enjoyed chilled? Chilling mitarashi dango thoroughly in the refrigerator brings out the thickness of the sauce and the chewy texture of the dango, making them the perfect cooling snack for hot days.

Although it is often thought of as a warm or room temperature dish, it is also popular to eat it with cold green tea, or as a summer gift or snack. It can easily be bought at convenience stores, so it is also recommended for those who want to try it out while sightseeing.

Jelly | A summer staple that is full of fruit and looks refreshing

Jelly is the perfect summer dessert, taking advantage of the natural sweetness and bouncy texture of fruit.

The clear jelly is filled with fresh fruits such as peaches, grapefruits, kiwis, and lychees, making it a truly "edible jewel." It's not too sweet, with a refreshing aftertaste, and is light enough to be eaten easily even on a hot day.

In Japan, it is easy to find at convenience stores, but department stores and high-end patisseries are also popular for their beautiful jellies, which are made with carefully selected ingredients and methods. It is a cool and elegant sweet that is often chosen as a souvenir or gift.

Summary | Make summer more fun with cold sweets

Summers in Japan are hot and humid, but that's why we love to enjoy cold sweets.

As we have introduced in this article, uniquely Japanese summer sweets such as shaved ice, warabi mochi, anmitsu, and Japanese-style ice cream are full of cool looks, interesting textures, and the appeal of seasonal ingredients.

From traditional Japanese sweets to beautifully-looking Western-style desserts, try enjoying the wide variety of cool treats and turn the heat into your ally.