The real heat of summer has finally hit us. As a result, it is getting harder to resist those delicious ice creams in the convenience store that are so easy to get hold of. Convenience stores are constantly refreshing their frozen dessert flavours and it is just too hard to decide which one to go for.   Wondering what tastes good? Don't break a sweat. Dessert-eating professional Yukko is here to help. Check out her Instagram which has plenty of information on the most irresistible frozen desserts at convenience stores.   CREAM CHEESE MACARON ICE Seven Eleven sells a macaron ice cream sandwich series which is massively popular every year. You just have to head there now to try the Kiri® cream cheese filling macarons which are collaboration-limited!Just by looking at the refreshing colour of the macaron is enough to splash life back into your parched body. Sinking your teeth into the crispy macaron sure is fun.The luxurious ice cream filling is made using 100% Kiri® cream cheese. The ice cream covers a juicy core of passion orange sauce that is thick like treacle. Its sharp, citrusy flavour is bound to instantly revitalise you. The rich cream cheese makes for the perfect balance.    ▼ CREAM CHEESE MACARON ICE  Price: ￥257 (after tax) Available at: Most Seven Elevens countrywide (excluding Okinawa)   Strawberries & Condensed Milk Shaved Ice This is part of Seven Eleven's flavoured ice series. When you open it, you will be instantly hit by the revitilizing red colour of the strawberries. The strawberry sauce is sweet yet sour and the ice is crunchy. Allow it a bit of time to melt first and the texture will turn syrupy.The sweet and sour strawberry sauce is a perfect match with the condensed milk flavoured ice, which is both slightly sweet and refreshing. This is a flavour that adults will love just as much as children.   ▼ Strawberries & Condensed Milk Shaved Ice Price: ￥149 (after tax) Available at: Convenience Store: Most Seven Elevens countrywide.   White Peach Shaved Ice with Peach PiecesThis is yet another dessert from Seven Eleven's ice Series, and this one is bursting with peachy goodness! Despite being just ￥300, it is full of flavour. Open the lid and you will discover that it is full of delicious fruity pieces of white peach. Starting from the top, there are large pieces of peach followed by white peach jelly, white peach shaved ice and then white peach sauce. The peach will immediately melt in your mouth the moment you take a bite. Its juiciness will spread all over your tongue and you will be enlightened with the true refreshing taste of summer.    White Peach Shaved Ice with Peach Pieces Price: ￥300 (after tax) Available at: Seven Eleven   Essel Super Cup Mango Having heard all the stories about just how delicious this ice cream is, I just had to try it for myself. There are four layers to this ice cream. The moment you open the lid, the tropical fruity mango sauce layer will be enough to revitalize you. Once you make it through the mango sauce which is enriched with mango fruit pieces, you will make it to the layer of tofu ice cream. Dig a little deeper and you will arrive at a layer of passion fruit sauce.   If you reach the very bottom, you will hit the mango-flavoured ice cream. If you wait a little while for the ice cream to melt before digging your spoon in, you will be able to truly appreciate the rich-flavoured mango. This ice cream even has a special ingredient; mango pulp. This mango pulp enhances the flavour in an extraordinary way. The discovery of this new flavour will fascinate you to no end. The passion fruit sauce at the bottom has an element of crunchiness to it that resembles sorbet. The mango and mango pulp is an exquisite accent to the flavour, making it deliciously moreish as well as refreshing.    ▼Essel Super Cup Mango  Price: ￥238 (after tax) Available at: Convenience stores and supermarkets across the country.   All these convenience store ice creams are just too delicious to miss out on. There are many frozen desserts that will always be available, however, those listed above won't always be around, so try them while you can!   Mogu Mogu Yukko introduces lots of desserts and sweets that are easily found in convenience stores and supermarkets on her Instagram so please check out her other posts.   Writer and Photographer: Mogu Mogu Yukko

The Japanese photo app LINE STEP is used to look up the hottest and most popular spots in your current location. The company has just revealed this summer's Top 10 must-try shaved ice desserts in Tokyo. We're going to take a look at our 5 most recommended from the selection.  

Shaved Ice Serve in an Entire Watermelon at KKOTBING

KKOTBING in Jiyūgaoka serves Korean-style shaved ice, including their very Instagrammable melon shaved ice which is served in an entire melon! The mango yoghurt flavoured shaved ice is also a tantalizing treat guaranteed to make you drool with its refreshing combination of fresh mango pieces and light yoghurt. The store even has photo spots where you can set down your shaved ice and snap tempting photos to show off online.   LINE STEP Page: https://m.linestep.io/review/1293001925947556534   ▼KKOTBING Address: Jiyūgaoka Masumoto Bldg. 1F, 1-26-3 Jiyūgaoka, Meguro Ward, Tokyo Business Hours: Weekdays 12:00-23:00 / Weekends 11:30-22:30 (Food & Drink Last Orders 22:00) No Fixed Holidays Official Website: https://kkotbing-japan.com/    

Super Fluffy Shaved Ice Made With Natural Ice at Shigeyoshi

Everybody knows about Shigeyoshi in the northern part of Senju. Every year without fail, you could be waiting up to 2 hours during shaved ice season at this hugely popular store. The unmissable menu choice this year is their cute strawberry flavoured bear shaved ice. This succulent strawberry selection is swimming in strawberry sauce. And don't worry, the ears won't melt or slide off while you're taking your photo! LINE STEP Page: https://m.linestep.io/review/1293003652490855077   ▼Shigeyoshi Address: 1-24-8 Senju, Adachi City, Tokyo Business Hours: 11:00-18:00 (*Summer season hours) Closed: Mondays & Tuesdays (Subject to change Official Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/shige_2017  

Cute, Crunchy & Fluffy Shaved Ice at foru cafe

Out shopping or taking purikura pictures in Harajuku? Then make sure you drop by foru cafe which is famous for its brulee French toast. This summer, the cafe has whipped up a very special strawberry milk pavlova shaved ice dessert. The creamy and refreshing taste of the milk mixes lovingly with the sweetness of the strawberries. It's all crowned with a crunchy meringue too which makes a delicious pairing with the shaved ice. Oh, and there's a lemon pavlova version too which is super refreshing!   LINE STEP Page: https://m.linestep.io/review/1292991141230150422   ▼foru cafe Address: WeWork Iceberg 1F, 6-12-18 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo Business Hours: 9:00-19:00 (Food Last Orders 18:00 / Drink Last Orders 18:30) Official Website: https://forucafe.com/    

Make Your Own Shaved Ice at #gram factory

If you'd like a little serving of self-customisation with your shaved ice then you'll want to head to#gram factory where you are free to choose your own toppings to make your own personalised dessert. Their milk flavoured shaved ice is made only with milk and condensed milk for a smooth and fluffy texture. Their popular choices include "SNOW QUEEN" where you can pick from various cute cookies like a flamingo or shell, and #OREOgram which is piled full of crunchy Oreo cookies. Delicious AND Instagram-worthy!   LINE STEP Page: https://m.linestep.io/review/1293361333047132186   ▼#gram factory Address: 2-15-1 Kitazawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo Business Hours: 11:00-20:00 No Fixed Holidays Official Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/gram_factory/   

Combinations and Toppings You Have Never Seen Before at Ichou no Ki

Last on our list is Ichou no Ki where you can experience their beautiful hydrangea shaved ice. The littering of purple and light blue petal toppings are made from agar-agar to look like a hydrangea. Hiding underneath the white shaved ice is matcha cream, mint powder, houjicha tea syrup, and cornflakes, making for a kaleidoscope of colours and textures.   LINE STEP Page: https://m.linestep.io/review/1293370743358226467   ▼Ichou no Ki Address: 1-28-14 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa, Tokyo Business Hours: [July-September] 11:30 until all reservations are made [October-June] 11:30-17:00 *Group bookings can only be made for groups of 4 and under Closed: Thursdays (and select days which can be found on the shop's official blog) Official Blog: http://s.ameblo.jp/ichounoki1979/   Nothing beats shaved ice when the weather's hot, so eat as much of it as you can this summer while in Tokyo.

For the whole month of August, the BOTANIST Tokyo tea stand in Harajuku is serving two different tapioca bubble tea beverages. Just 100 of each will be sold each day. The two delicious drink flavours include "Butterfly Pea Soy Milk Tea" and "Matcha Milk Tea." Both beverages are made with high quality tapioca pearls from bubble tea store Bull Pulu who serve up Taiwanese pop culture with their tasty menu.   Vegans shopping in Tokyo's Harajuku and Omotesando areas will be excited to try the vegan-friendly Butterfly Pea Soy Milk Tea. Both of the drinks are also sold in eco cups and come with paper straws.

Tapioca Butterfly Pea Soy Milk Tea - ¥600 (Tax Included)

The vegan-friendly option is a combination of bright and colourful butterfly pea tea and soy milk. It's laced with a tropical coconut syrup for enhanced flavour.

Tapioca Matcha Milk Tea - ¥600 (Tax Included)

The matcha milk tea is a combination of rich and smooth matcha foam and milk. It's mixed with a fragrant hazelnut syrup. Both drinks are takeout only and are available to buy on the first floor. If you fancy a little refreshing drink while strolling through Harajuku then be sure to visit BOTANIST Tokyo.