Japanese Summer Foods: The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo's Cooling Cuisine [2025 Edition]

Shinya Yamada
Jul 26
7 min read

Updated: 12 hours ago

Japanese Summer Foods: The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo's Cooling Cuisine

What comes to mind when you think of summer food?

For me, it's always been somen noodles and watermelon. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of family gatherings centered around these two things: trying to catch noodles as they flowed down a bamboo slide, and the chaotic fun of suika-wari (watermelon splitting).

In Japan, it's precisely because the summer is so hot that we have these foods that create such lasting, joyful memories.

This guide is your invitation to discover that delicious side of the Tokyo summer.

We'll explore the city's seasonal and cooling cuisine, from refreshing chilled noodles to beautiful, art-like desserts. Forget heavy, hot meals—this is how you eat, feel cool, and make memories like a local.

A Note on Our Tokyo Focus

You might be thinking, "But I can eat these foods all over Japan!" And you are absolutely right. While these are national summer treasures, this guide focuses specifically on Tokyo for two key reasons.

First, for most travelers, Tokyo is the primary base for their Japan adventure. Our goal is to be a practical guide, showing you where to find these amazing experiences right here in the city. Second, Tokyo is Japan's culinary capital. It’s a metropolis where the absolute best versions of dishes from every region are gathered. This guide isn't just about what to eat; it’s about where to find the most memorable and delicious examples of Japanese summer foods in Tokyo.

Must-Try Japanese Summer Foods in Tokyo

The Chilled Noodle Obsession

When your appetite wanes in the heat, a bowl of chilled noodles is the perfect answer. Tokyoites are obsessed with these summer staples.

Hiyashi Chuka (冷やし中華) - "Chilled Ramen"

What It Is: A colorful and satisfying dish of chilled ramen noodles topped with a variety of fresh ingredients like strips of cucumber, tomato, ham, and shredded egg. It’s all brought together with a tangy soy-vinegar or a rich, creamy sesame dressing.
The Summer Connection: It's the quintessential summer-only dish. The combination of cold noodles and crisp vegetables is incredibly refreshing.
Where to Find It in Tokyo: From June through September, you'll see colorful posters advertising Hiyashi Chuka Hajimemashita ("We've started serving Hiyashi Chuka") in the windows of nearly every neighborhood ramen shop and local Chinese restaurant (chuka shokudo) across the city.

Somen (素麺) - Ultra-Thin Cold Noodles

As I mentioned, somen is one of my cherished summer foods, and the reason is deeply personal. This is because I grew up near Himeji City, home of "Ibo no Ito," one of Japan's most revered artisanal somen brands, and we ate it constantly all summer long.

Ibo no Ito is a true masterpiece, crafted by skilled artisans using a traditional method that has been perfected over generations. It’s made with specially selected flour, salt from the famous Ako region, and the pure, flowing water of the Ibo River valley. The noodles are repeatedly stretched and aged to develop their signature texture.

Here's a little-known fact that my grandfather taught me: high-quality somen actually improves with age. Letting it rest for a few years (a process called nekaseru) gives the noodles a wonderfully firm and chewy texture known as koshi. My grandfather, who loved Ibo no Ito, would always send our family a special batch that he had personally aged for several years.

To delight his grandchildren, he even had a home "nagashi-somen machine" in his garden, which would send the noodles swirling around in a circular stream of water, for us to catch with our chopsticks.

My grandfather has since passed away, but those are my fondest summer memories—of him, his kindness, and those delicious somen noodles.

What It Is: These are delicate, hair-thin noodles made from wheat flour. They are boiled for only a minute, then rinsed in ice water and served cold with a light, savory dipping sauce (mentsuyu), often garnished with ginger or green onion.
The Summer Connection: Their thinness makes them light and incredibly easy to slurp down, even when you don't feel like eating much.
Where to Find It in Tokyo: You can find somen at most traditional Japanese restaurants (washoku-ya) and soba noodle shops during the summer. For a special treat, look for a "Nagashi Somen" event, where you catch the noodles as they flow down a bamboo slide—a fun and memorable summer experience.

The Ultimate Summer Power Food: Unagi (うなぎ)

What It Is: Grilled freshwater eel, glazed with a sweet and savory soy-based sauce and served over a bed of rice.
The Summer Connection: Rich in vitamins, unagi is traditionally eaten during the summer to combat fatigue (natsu-bate). There's even a special day in mid-summer, the "Day of the Ox" (doyo no ushi no hi), dedicated to eating it for stamina. It's important to note that for 2025, the summer Day of the Ox is not in August. Instead, it falls twice in July: on Saturday, the 19th, and Thursday, the 31st.
Where to Find It in Tokyo: Tokyo has many famous, long-standing unagi specialty restaurants. You'll find historic and highly-rated establishments in areas known for traditional cuisine, such as Asakusa, Ginza, and Nihonbashi. For a particularly special experience, the renowned restaurant Kagurazaka Shimakin in the historic Kagurazaka neighborhood offers a unique combination: you can enjoy an exquisite unagi meal and also arrange for a private geisha banquet in the same establishment.

[Click here to learn more about our Geisha Banquet at Shimakin!]

The Art of the Cool Dessert

When it's time for a sweet treat, Tokyo's summer offerings are designed to be as beautiful as they are refreshing.

Kakigori (かき氷) - Japanese Shaved Ice

What It Is: Forget crunchy snow cones. True Japanese kakigori is a mountain of incredibly fine, fluffy, snow-like ice that instantly melts in your mouth.
The Summer Connection: It's the ultimate cool-down treat. And it's not just a traditional sweet; it's a modern obsession. With recent summers getting hotter, Japan is experiencing a full-blown kakigori boom. This isn't just a feeling—it's backed by data. Government surveys show that Japanese households are spending significantly more on ice cream and sorbets now than they did a decade ago, reflecting the nation's growing love for frozen desserts to beat the heat.
Where to Find It in Tokyo: You have two main options. For a traditional experience with classic syrups like matcha, red bean, or strawberry, visit an old-school sweet shop (kanmi-dokoro) in Asakusa or Yanaka. For a modern, gourmet, and highly Instagrammable version with artisanal fruit purees and creamy toppings, seek out the specialty shops in trendier, sophisticated neighborhoods like Shibuya, Omotesando, or the charming backstreets of Kagurazaka. A perfect example is the famous Kagurazaka Saryo (https://saryo.jp/), a beloved dessert cafe where their elegant kakigori is a specialty. You can often expect a queue—a sure sign of its quality. Just look for the iconic white flag with the red kanji character 氷 (ice)—it's the universal sign that shaved ice is served!

Summer Wagashi (夏の和菓子) - Edible Art

What It Is: Traditional Japanese sweets that take on a cooling, translucent form in summer. They are a feast for the eyes and the palate. Look for mizu yokan (a soft, jellied red bean sweet), kuzukiri (translucent arrowroot noodles served with a sweet syrup), and mizu manju (a clear, jelly-like bun with a red bean filling).
The Summer Connection: The "watery" and jelly-like textures are designed to be visually and texturally refreshing.
Where to Find It in Tokyo: The absolute best place to discover a huge variety is in the basement food halls (depachika) of major department stores like Mitsukoshi in Ginza, Isetan in Shinjuku, or Takashimaya in Nihonbashi. The wagashi sections will have stunning, refrigerated displays of these seasonal jewels.
For a more personal and traditional experience, however, nothing beats visiting an established local shop (wagashi-ya). The historic neighborhood of Kagurazaka is perfect for this, boasting celebrated stores like Baikatei (https://www.baikatei.co.jp/) and Isuzu (https://isuzu-wagashi.co.jp/), where you can find exquisite, handcrafted seasonal sweets.
And if you want to go beyond just tasting, we have a unique opportunity. Our company has partnered directly with the masters at Baikatei for an exclusive wagashi-making workshop. It's a wonderful chance to learn this beautiful art firsthand from a true artisan—a perfect indoor escape on a hot summer day.
[Click here to learn more about our Wagashi Workshop Tour!]

The Essential Summer Sips: What to Drink When It's Hot

Mugicha (麦茶) - The Unofficial Drink of Summer What It Is: A caffeine-free tea made from roasted barley. It's the quintessential summer drink in Japan, served ice-cold in homes, restaurants, and thermoses everywhere. The Summer Connection: Its roasted, nutty flavor is incredibly refreshing, and it's known for its cooling properties. You'll find bottles of it in every vending machine and convenience store.

Other Refreshing Sips: Also, keep an eye out for seasonal beers, special edition sports drinks, and a huge variety of cold green teas. For a bit of fun, try Ramune (ラムネ), a classic fizzy soft drink in a unique marble-stoppered bottle that is synonymous with summer festivals.

So when the heat rises in Tokyo, don't retreat—head out and eat! It's the most delicious way to embrace the season and experience the city like a local.

⬅️ Ready to plan the rest of your trip? For a full guide to weather, what to pack, and more, head back to our main guide:[Return to Tokyo Travel in August: The Ultimate Guide to Festivals, Food, and Fun]

Travel Guide in Tokyo

Book Each Experience

Kagurazaka Walking Tour

Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing

Zen Meditation

Kumihimo Braiding

Samurai Sword Training

"Noh Experience" at Yarai Noh Theater

Wagashi Workshop

Tofu Workshop

Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony in Yukata

Washoku Cooking Class

Clothing Rental (Samue or Outdoor Wear)

How to Access Kagurazaka

The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.