・Melon Yogurt Today, I went out with my second son, which is rare. First, I tried the fresh melon, something I wouldn't usually order alone. At Himitsudou, I chose yogurt for the first time! It's like drinking yogurt, slightly tangy and easy to eat. It's just right with sweet melon on top. Since there's nothing inside and it's just plain ice, adding a small side dish might be a good idea. I should have added mascarpone to the second cup. ・Soy Milk and Fruit Shiroae Ice (with added mascarpone side dish) I saw this shaved ice on Twitter and wanted to try it! The fruit is Kawauchi Banko. As mentioned, it has a strong tofu flavor, which I really like. Kawauchi Bunko is surprisingly sweet and delicious! The sweet and sourness of this citrus goes really well with tofu. The base is soy milk, so it feels refreshing, but the even distribution of soy milk over the shaved ice makes it not too plain. Adding mascarpone makes it smooth and delicious too. I really love tofu ice after all!

Himitsudō is a popular kakigori (shaved ice) shop located just 5 minutes from Nippori Station. With a rating of 3.78 on Tabelog as of September 24, 2023, this shop stands out not for its trendy vibe, but for its high turnover rate, allowing it to sell a remarkable number of servings every day. With the chestnut season in full swing, there's currently a fierce competition for the "Himitsu-kuri" (secret chestnut) kakigori. While the rich chestnut paste is undeniably delicious, some may feel that its essence gets somewhat lost in the kakigori, making me personally lean towards the chestnut Mont Blanc. Visiting on a slightly cooler Saturday morning, I arrived around 9:55 to find only 7 people ahead of me in line—a rarity! Since they operate on a pre-payment system, I had no trouble completing my order by around 10:05. I opted for their signature Chestnut Mont Blanc priced at 2,100 yen. Despite the yearly price increases, there's something irresistible about their kakigori, even though pastry shops offer better value for Mont Blanc. The kakigori maintains the essence of the chestnut flavor with a well-balanced chestnut paste. The ice quality is excellent, with no unpleasant crunchiness. Another satisfying experience at Himitsudō! Many still mistakenly refer to it as "Himitsudō" (Secret Hall), but it's actually "Himitsudō" (Ice Nectar Hall), emphasizing their dedication to syrup quality. I might try their classic Ichigo Milk flavor next time!

It was delicious! Although there was a line at first, the guidance to the shop was quite good and smooth. The interior was quite narrow, so it might feel a bit cramped, but it's alright. The shaved ice was authentic and delicious. The Uji Kin-to was especially tasty with its sweet red bean paste. Highly recommended!

Kakigori comes in different types. Himitsudou's version has a refreshing icy texture with a crunchy feel. Their sauce is luxuriously rich with fruit flavors simmered into it. It leans towards a clean taste. While I opted for strawberry short-type, strawberry milk or yogurt might have been better. Grape milk pairs well, but a bit more sauce or milk would be nice. It's really a matter of preference. I realized on my fourth visit that I probably prefer the fluffy texture nowadays. Thanks for the treat!

This popular restaurant didn't quite suit me, I'm sorry to say. While the grape sauce was indeed fresh, the ice was a bit too much for me. It had the old-fashioned crunchy texture, which was tough for me as I'm used to fluffy ice. I arrived around noon. There was a line of about 15 people, but I got in after about 20 minutes. The chestnut flavor was already sold out completely. Since it was my second stop and peach or pumpkin seemed quite heavy, I asked for something lighter. The plain ice part was impressive, and I see now why everyone adds extra sauce. However, it's not very hygienic to me. While the bold sauce application might be part of their appeal, they don't seem to pay much attention to composition. It's more about splashing and piling it on, so the skill of the shaver doesn't seem to matter much. Also, in terms of hygiene, the way they clean the trays and the staff's sweat... It just didn't sit well with me.

The store is small, but there seem to be two of them. There was a line, so I received a numbered ticket in advance and waited in line at the designated time. It took quite a while before entering the store. The shaved ice itself is fluffy and completely different from regular shaved ice. The menu offers various combinations and is extensive. I came on a hot summer day, so I need to eat it quickly before it melts. The taste is delicious. I think the portion size is quite large.

I took a casual stroll through Yanaka Ginza and finally visited "Himitsudō" as I had wanted to for a while! Arrived at 2 PM with a wait of 5 people... Luckily, it was only drizzling as we queued outside! However, they were almost sold out...! Nagano Purple & Yogurt for 2100 yen paid in cash upon entering. There are counter seats and tables in the back, mostly female customers! The staff are all female too, creating a peculiar atmosphere. Or rather, it's busy and somewhat intense... Shaved ice keeps being served one after another, and strawberries and melons others are eating also look delicious... Here comes the shaved ice! It towers up, overflowing with honey and yogurt. Three servings of Nagano Purple. The yogurt is mildly sweet and refreshing! The honey has a lot of peel remaining, with a lingering bitterness, giving it an adult flavor. The Nagano Purple has a firm skin and a rich taste...! Hmm! A grown-up dessert. We also tried the peach, which came separately as the honey bounces off the ice. It's like nectar, with a thick, syrupy consistency, sweet and delicious...! We used a straw after it melted and enjoyed it with the warm hojicha provided when it cooled down... I was worried it would be too much, but we enjoyed it to the end without getting tired of it! The yogurt is delicious...! I haven't had many high-end shaved ice desserts, but this one didn't give me a headache and was really tasty...! I prefer it a bit sweeter, so next time, I might order strawberry or something sweeter...! Thank you for the treat!

I came here for the first time after seeing information about Nagano Purple shaved ice on social media. I chose the 2100 yen option. You can choose between milk or yogurt. A friend chose the secret peach milk. The milk was also gentle in taste and was excellent! I'd like to try it in different seasons!

I finally got to visit Himitsu-dou! Using the reservation slot from 5 p.m., I was able to enjoy the "Chestnut Delight" shaved ice. It was the most satisfying chestnut shaved ice I've ever had, where you could truly taste the chestnut flavor!

Arrived on a weekday in September at 10 a.m. The place was already packed, with about 20 people waiting outside. Waited for about 30 minutes and finally got a seat. Was seated at the counter, where I could watch them shave ice right in front of me. Despite the seeming hustle, there was a lively atmosphere. In a corner, they were simmering chestnuts. It was evident that each dish was carefully crafted. Enjoyed the experience!

I lined up for the first time in 2 years at 2 p.m., and luckily only had to wait about 10 minutes because two shops had just opened. As you can see in the photo, many items were already sold out, so it's best to go earlier if you want the popular ones. I went with the classic strawberry flavor, and it was delicious without a doubt.

It was a regular weekday afternoon, but there was still a line. Since it was windy and the rotation seemed fast, I decided to wait. I chose peach yogurt, but what was served was yogurt poured onto a plate, looking quite unappetizing. The peach sauce was in a separate small container. In the end, it turned out there was only ice left, meaning there wasn't enough sauce. All of this cost 1500 yen, and I had to pay in cash when placing the order. I'm extremely disappointed, and there's no way I'll visit this place again.

The shaved ice with a combination of peach and mango, topped with whipped cream, costs 2000 yen per serving. Despite a crowd of around 20 people at 8 p.m., the place efficiently operates with two shops, multiple manual shaved ice machines, and a quick turnover. You order and pay in cash immediately upon joining the line, making it challenging to leave once in line. The owner, Koji Morinishi, has a diverse background, transitioning from a newspaper delivery person to a dump truck driver, disco employee, scuba diving instructor, and even a Kabuki actor before opening the Himitsudou in 2011. His experience in Kabuki entertainment might be influencing the unique system. The ice used is from "Mitsuboshi Himuro," natural ice from Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. The shaved ice machine is manually operated, providing the crunchiest texture among the shaved ice I've had this year, with a light and fluffy texture in winter and a crispier one in summer for a refreshing experience. The syrups have a rich flavor that brings out the essence of the ingredients. Both the peach and mango have an outstanding fruitiness. The addition of refreshing whipped cream enhances the overall taste, making it a delightful experience. It's cash-only, and the 2000 yen was worth it. Delicious!

【Whole Peach Shaved Ice for 1900 yen】【Whole Mango Shaved Ice for 2100 yen】With great taste, a pleasant atmosphere, and good value for money, Himitsu-do is likely the busiest shaved ice shop in Yanaka, where there are many such shops. I visited around 1 pm on a Sunday, and there was about a one-hour wait. Despite the long line, the staff's guidance was smooth. While shaved ice is increasingly becoming a dessert, Himitsu-do's shaved ice maintains a traditional feel. The ice has a crunchy texture, and the generous amount of fruit on top makes it very satisfying. Highly recommended!

I've been wanting to visit this place for a while. It's really popular and there's usually a long line, so I couldn't go until now. Even though it was right after a typhoon with rain, there were only about 15 people in line in the late afternoon. Surprisingly, we were seated quickly, and I tried the melon and mango flavors. Both had a natural sweetness without any artificial taste, like eating the fruits themselves. They were delicious. I'm curious about other fruits they offer, so I'd like to visit again. Thanks for the meal!

Around 3:30 PM on Saturday, there were about ten groups waiting in line outside the shop, with a wait time of around 30 minutes before entering. It took about ten minutes from ordering to receiving the food. The store is divided into two sections, with a capacity of around 20 people on each side. They serve a dish called "Kuro-mitsu Kinako," which consists of finely shaved ice topped generously with kinako (soybean flour), with milk (or condensed milk) poured inside. The kuro-mitsu (black syrup) is added afterwards.

"Himitsudo," a kakigori (shaved ice) shop awarded as one of the top 100 sweets shops on Tabelog in 2023. What surprised me was seeing girls as young as elementary school students working there! They have a system where you pay first before being seated. I tried their Mascarpone Ichimi (Mascarpone with strawberries) for ¥1800. The kakigori comes out very quickly after you're seated. It was delicious with the smooth Mascarpone and the flavor and sweetness of strawberries, but considering the price, it felt a bit lacking. Maybe I should have tried their most popular one, the MANZAI Fruit Mix, with various toppings. Going around 3 to 4 pm on weekdays might be a good idea as it's less crowded. Although it's a bit pricey, it was tasty. Thanks for the meal! #Himitsudo #Kakigori #DeliciousKakigori #SendagiGourmet #NipporiKakigori #TokyoKakigori #WantToConnectWithFoodies #GourmetTagram #GurumeMemo #WantToConnectWithFoodies #FoodPornGram #FoodTerrorGram #GourmetTravel #DeliciousIsHappiness #LookingForFoodieFriends #GourmetClub #FoodieGirls #FoodieBoys #WantToConnectWithGourmets #KantoGourmet #FoodReviewGram #GourmetWriter #FoodWriter #BGradeGourmetInfo #TokyoFoodCulture

■Shop Information It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that [Himitsudo] is one of the most popular shaved ice spots in Tokyo. Since moving to Nippori, I haven't been there at all, but seeing it empty around 6 p.m., I decided to visit after a long time. As always, they have an incredible variety. Today, I ordered two kinds. ■What I Ate ▶︎ Fresh Grape Almond (Nagano) ¥2200 ▶︎ Ultra Peach Earl Grey Milktea ¥2400 I was seated in about 30 minutes. As soon as I sat down, the shaved ice was served promptly. It's quite a generous portion of shaved ice. The downside of Himitsudo is that while it's delicious at first, you tend to get tired of it halfway through. The ice is quite heavy. That's why they offer extra syrup, but I hesitate to pay almost 3000 yen for shaved ice. Places like [Hachiku] in Ikebukuro, which focus on fruit, are easier to eat. It's worth trying once, but I think it's a shaved ice that divides preferences. On the Instagram account [Nonaru Boys Tokyo Lunch Meals] with 70,000 followers, delicious foods from Tokyo and various places across Japan are being introduced! Instagram → [link] Twitter → [link]

In the summer, I start craving shaved ice from this place more and more. This year, I went at the beginning of September, almost autumn, aiming for the peach flavor. However, since they still use ticketing on weekends, I couldn't get what I wanted when I arrived around noon. I managed to get a ticket for about an hour later and was seated about 30 minutes after returning to the line. I had the Short Strawberry for ¥1,900. It's always good, never disappoints! I think it was my first time trying the "Short" with whipped cream, and it was great for changing up the taste. Even with such a huge portion, I didn't get tired of it until the end. I'm hooked. The mango was delicious too, of course. Compared to the strawberry, it had more of the natural sweetness of the fruit rather than syrupy sweetness. And then there was the Nagano Purple, a seasonal offering for early autumn! I wanted to taste it, so I also ordered the limited edition small portion. It was amazing too. It made me want to try the Nagano Purple shaved ice next time because it was packed with fruity goodness. For the whole mango, it didn't have syrup at the bottom, so adding extra syrup was the right choice. I want to go back in the autumn or winter next time... Thanks for the great meal!

"The art of ice and syrup. As expected, the famous shops are delicious! I chose yogurt melon. Whether the melon becomes too pungent or mellows out with the richness of yogurt is hard to say, but the shaved ice is delicious, and natural ice doesn't give a sharp sensation. However, probably half of the people will struggle to finish this big portion, but I was lucky to manage it in just under 20 minutes! Thank you for the feast!"

I went straight after work because they were open until 7:00 PM on weekdays. When I arrived around 5:30 PM, there were about four groups in line outside, and it took around 15-20 minutes to be seated. I wanted to try the Peach Earl Grey Milk Tea with marinated fruits, so I asked if they still had it when ordering, and they did! It cost 2,400 yen. I made it just in time. The peach was sweet, but with the Earl Grey, it had a slightly bitter taste, making it quite refreshing. They gave a small plate, so I carefully transferred the cream and peach, enjoying different flavors while occasionally adding peach sauce. They offer seasonal items, so it's hard to decide what to try next. When I left around 6:30 PM, there was still a decent line outside. Payment is cash only, and when entering, each person must order at least one item. It gets cooler when you leave!