しげっくま
On a scorching hot day with a high of 35°C, I was strolling around Horie looking for a cool place to relax when I stumbled upon this cafe near Horie Park. Even though I've been here many times before, it was my first time seeing it... Turns out they are only open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the day. I mustered up the courage to open the sliding door, and I was greeted by a cool, slightly incense-scented tatami room. It felt like visiting my grandma's house during summer vacation (laughs). Once I decided on what to order after looking at the menu, I went to the counter to pay in advance. Since it was Kakigori Day on July 25th, I ordered the Uji Kanjou Kakigori (¥850) with a set drink of hot coffee! The Kakigori came with syrup and toppings of shiratama, chestnut, and dried red beans on the side, allowing you to add them gradually as you eat. This way, it doesn't get watery towards the end, which is nice. The ice was finely shaved but still had a crunchy texture. The matcha syrup was pleasantly bitter. And the dried red beans were strangely addictive! It was a new experience with the chewy texture, which I associate with Azuki beans in Uji Kanjou. The atmosphere was very calming, and I found myself wanting to stay longer than planned. I also want to try their parfait, so I hope to visit again when the timing is right! [Additional notes] I revisited the cafe twice after the above visit! The second time, I tried the Matcha Parfait (¥750). It was overflowing from the cup, and there were plenty of shiratama and chestnut, making it feel like a great deal. Sitting by the window and enjoying the view outside added to the wonderful atmosphere. The third time, I had the Hojicha Pudding Parfait (¥750). This one seemed more elaborate, so the wait was a bit longer. It included Hojicha chiffon cake, Hojicha ganache, and Hojicha pudding at the bottom! It's a parfait that Hojicha lovers will adore. They used to be open until 5 pm during the summer, but it seems like they close at 4 pm when it gets dark. It might be challenging to figure out the right timing to visit, but I will definitely go back!