Snow piled high

My husband knew that there was only one thing that was going to get me out of the house this morning - the promise of a cold treat. 

There is a pop-up shop in Kichijoji that brings snow to people from only July 18 until September 1.  Nijiiro (knee-jee-ee-roe) does not make your average shave ice.  This place makes very, very special shave ice.  The ice is made in December by filling a shallow pool with natural spring water and letting it freeze naturally for 2 weeks.  When the ice is 15 centimeters thick, it is cut just like the opening scene of "Frozen".  (Okay, a bit more modern than that.  Check out this beautiful video of them making the ice here.)

For the last 9 years, this special ice has been brought to the masses, shaved, and served with toppings made with real fruit and other flavors.  No run of the mill stuff over here.

We arrived right when the shop opened for the day.  We couldn't wait for the cold treat!  As we waited for the elevators to start working (we were early, as is usual for us), we pondered over the menu that was posted on the wall.  Nijiiro was located in the basement of a department store and the elevators do not work until the clock strikes 10 am. 

Since we had made our choices before the shop even opened, by the time we arrived, we were able to quickly order what we were going to have.  My son asked for Jonathan Apple, my husband picked Blueberry, and I ordered Mandarin with Pulp. 

The staff person got busy using a shaving machine to finely shave the ice into a beautiful mountain.

She topped it with the fruit of our choice.  Finally, she embellished the peak of the mountain with a bit more snow to make the dessert really embody the image of a mountaintop. 

Our eyes were huge with enthusiasm when she brought each shaved ice to the table around the corner from the storefront.  There weren't any actual tables at the pop-up shop, so we were sitting at one of the two tables offered in the department store.

Jonathan Apple

Mandarin with Pulp

Blueberry

From the very first bite, we knew this was the absolute best shaved ice we had ever experienced.  It is so simple - ice and syrup.  But Nijiiro creates something that is so much more than basic or simple.  It is a little bit of heaven. 

We were pretty quiet as we ate, only speaking to ask for another bite of each other's choice.  Since the mound of snow is around 2 cups of shaved ice, it took us a while to gobble it all up.  Then we just sat there and smiled for a few minutes.  It was just so perfect.  Not too sweet, packed with flavor, and cold, cold, cold. 

I only wish it wasn't an hour and a half away from our house!  Such torture knowing it is out there and I can't have it all the time.  A cold dessert without the guilt and made to artisan standards.  Why can't it be closer?  I want to go back again and again.