🍱 Kakigori (Shaved ice)
The syrup is poured over fluffy shaved ice which is created in such shops. There is a reason why "shaved ice" in Nara Prefecture is becoming a new food fad. Himuro Shrine in Nara City is said to have originated in the 3rd year of the Wado era (710) when the capital was moved to Heijokyo, when the "ice god" was enshrined on a huge stone called "Tsukihiiwa" in the upper reaches of the "Yoshiki River" that flows near Mt. Wakakusa. An ice chamber was set up in Tsukihijiwa, and a ceremony was held for about 70 years in the summer to present the precious ice to the Heijo Palace. For this reason, Himuro Shrine is still known as a sacred place for ice, and every year in May, ice makers from all over the country gather to pray for prosperous business, and icicles embedded with flowers and fish are offered to the deity. There is also a Himuro shrine in Tenri City, and an ice offering festival is held there on July 1. In addition, in the 42nd paragraph of The Pillow Book written by Sei Shōnagon "Atenaru mono", it is written that "put shaved ice in a new gold bowl", which indicates that "finely shaved ice with amazura is very elegant", and it can be seen that the Heian aristocracy used to cool off with shaved ice in the summer. It is said that in those days "shaved ice" was eaten with amazura, a sweetener.