As the scorching summer heat continues day after day, the Narita-san Monzen area is home to plenty of shaved ice shops ready to cool you down.
From long-established sweets shops rooted in the Edo period to a buzzworthy tea stand that opened in 2023, each shop offers its own original take on shaved ice.
This time, we introduce five shops serving incredible shaved ice that are well worth a stop during your stroll along the approach to the temple.
Be Amazed by a Giant Matcha Shaved Ice! "Nana Cafe Koguma"
"Nana Cafe Koguma" is located along Narita-san Omotesando, just a short walk from Narita Station. It's a wa-modern style café known for its Japanese-style sweets, especially those made with sweet potato.
The moment it arrives, you're struck by its sheer volume — this shaved ice is enormous. Other customers nearby were just as amazed by its size. The matcha flavor in particular is rich and deeply photogenic. You pour the syrup yourself, whenever you like, and even adults find it a challenge to finish.
The café is also known for sweets made with sweet potatoes grown locally in Narita and Katori, such as Mont Blanc and dorayaki. Whether you're craving something cold and satisfying or just taking a break during your stroll along the approach, it's the perfect stop.
A Long-Standing Shop's Playful Secret: Vanilla Ice Cream Hidden Inside the Ice — "Goto Dangoya"
Founded in 1845 during the Edo period, "Goto Dangoya" carries a long history. Now run by the sixth generation, its dango are still made the traditional way, pounded by hand with a mortar and pestle, and remain beloved by many. The nostalgic interior, with its earthen floor and low tables, is part of the charm.
The "Old-Fashioned Syrup Shaved Ice" is a delightful surprise — as you eat your way through the ice, you discover vanilla ice cream hidden inside. Shirokuma (polar bear) shaved ice and seasonal limited menus are also available. This shaved ice, in fact, was created by the seventh generation, who wanted to bring a fresh breeze to the historic dango shop.
On the second floor, you can even try painting your own daruma doll, making it a great addition to your walk along the approach after enjoying some shaved ice.
Savor a Whole Chiba-Grown Strawberry — "Narita Sando Fusa no Eki"
About a five-minute walk from Narita Station, "Narita Sando Fusa no Eki" sits along the approach to the temple. Part souvenir shop, part café, it's an easy spot to drop into, and its lunch menu — including roast beef rice bowls and anmitsu — is just as popular as its sweets.
The "Ultimate Strawberry Beauty" shaved ice features whole Chiba-grown strawberries, frozen and shaved right off the fruit. It's rich with fruity texture, sherbet-like, and topped generously with condensed milk. Beyond strawberry, the shaved ice also comes in yuzu, lemon, and peach flavors — all praised for their true-to-fruit taste.
Takeout is available too, making it an easy treat to enjoy while strolling and snacking your way down the approach.
A Grown-Up Treat Enjoyed with a Japanese Garden View — "Miyoshiya"
Tucked away down a side alley off the main approach, "Miyoshiya" is a hidden gem of a sweets shop. Step through its narrow entrance and the bustling atmosphere outside gives way to a calm space overlooking a Japanese garden.
Even the standard shaved ice comes in generous portions, and the wide variety of toppings — shiratama dumplings, sweet red beans, ice cream — is part of the appeal. Alongside classics like strawberry and melon, there's amazake, yuzu, ginger, apricot, ume, and even Chiba's signature peanut flavor. The fluffy ice melts smoothly in your mouth, with a not-too-sweet, refined flavor.
What you won't find anywhere else is their "Grown-Up Shaved Ice." The "Red" version uses a red wine-based sangria as its syrup — an unusual, stylish menu item you can enjoy quietly while gazing out at the Japanese garden, feeling just slightly tipsy.
Elegantly Sweet Wakocha Shaved Ice — "YAMANOAKARI"
Opened in April 2023 along Narita-san Omotesando, "YAMANOAKARI" is a takeout-only tea and sweets shop with a chic, black-toned exterior that blends into the streetscape. It specializes in original blended teas, fukamushicha (deep-steamed green tea), and wakocha (Japanese black tea) made from Chiba-grown tea leaves.
Every shaved ice here comes topped with fluffy cream and a cherry, making for an especially cute presentation. The "Wakocha Milk Tea" flavor uses a fragrant Japanese black tea syrup for a refreshingly elegant sweetness — a great pick for anyone who finds shaved ice usually too sweet.
Their signature Craft Cream Pie and other baked goods are also popular, and you can enjoy them on the bench out front while taking a short break.
From time-honored flavors to fresh new sensibilities, the Narita-san Monzen area is full of shaved ice with real character. Let your stroll along the approach lead you to the perfect icy treat to beat the heat.
Note: Menu items and business hours may vary seasonally (including limited summer-only offerings), so please check the latest information before your visit.
