Japanese eateries debut new shaved‑ice and summer desserts amid heatwave

A traditional bar in Matsuyama, Ehime, that normally operates at night has added a daytime shaved‑ice shop called “Natural Ice Dream” on July 31, offering adult‑style shaved ice made with natural ice from Yamanashi’s Yagi glacier. In Kameyama, Mie, the sweet‑potato specialty shop “Imosa” began selling a sweet‑potato ice cream that combines its own caramelised baked sweet potatoes with rare Gandhi‑milk from Niigata, priced at ¥350. In Toyohashi, Aichi, the long‑standing wagashi house “Okamedō” introduced a limited‑edition yogurt drink mixed with locally grown Toyohashi strawberries and figs, marketed as a refreshing summer treat. Finally, in the mountain town of Miyama, Kyoto, the “Miyamada” sweet‑potato café launched a seasonal “Oimo‑蜜かき氷” that blends locally sourced sweet‑potato cream into shaved ice, topped with mochi, red bean and sweet‑potato chips. All four establishments are offering these limited‑time desserts to attract visitors during the current intense heatwave.