Kagoshima’s Tenmonkan area is a lively shopping and dining district. It is also the best place to try Shirokuma, a famous Kagoshima shaved ice dessert. Shirokuma is made with sweet milk syrup, fluffy shaved ice, and colorful fruit toppings.
If you visit Kagoshima, don’t miss these five popular cafés that serve delicious Shirokuma!
1. Tenmonkan Mujyaki – The Original Shirokuma Café
- The birthplace of Kagoshima’s famous Shirokuma
- Fluffy shaved ice with rich, sweet milk syrup
- A must-visit dessert spot for tourists
Recommended Menu: Original Shirokuma
Soft shaved ice covered with sweet condensed milk, colorful fruits, and raisins, creating a refreshing and unique flavor.
📍 Location: 5-8 Sennichi-cho, Kagoshima
📅 Reservation: Not required
🌐 Official Website: Tenmonkan Mujyaki
2. SANDECO COFFEE – Creative and Artistic Shirokuma
- A unique café with a “math” theme
- Beautifully decorated, 3D-style Shirokuma
- Relaxing atmosphere with great coffee
Recommended Menu: 3D Shirokuma Shaved Ice
A cute, Instagram-worthy Shirokuma dessert, decorated with fresh fruit and chocolate details.
📍 Location: 4-1 Meizan-cho, Kagoshima
📅 Reservation: Not required
🌐 Official Website: SANDECO COFFEE
3. Café Kanojo no Ie – A Retro and Cozy Café
- A hidden gem in Tenmonkan
- Classic Western-style interior
- Offers various desserts and lunch menus
Recommended Menu: Classic Shirokuma
A traditional Shirokuma with sweet milk ice and plenty of fresh fruit, served in a cozy, retro setting.
📍 Location: 6-20 Higashisengoku-cho, Kagoshima
📅 Reservation: Not required
🌐 Official Website: Café Kanojo no Ie
4. Yanagawa Hyoushitsu – Traditional Shaved Ice Shop
- Over 100 years of history as an ice shop
- Shaved ice made from pure natural spring water
- Summer-limited Shirokuma is very popular
Recommended Menu: Berry Shirokuma
A fruity version of Shirokuma with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, adding a refreshing twist.
📍 Location: 13-24 Izumi-cho, Kagoshima
📅 Reservation: Not required
🌐 Official Website: Yanagawa Hyoushitsu
5. Sengan-en Saryo – Enjoy Shirokuma in a Historic Garden Café
- Authentic matcha and Japanese-style lunch options
- Located inside the historic Sengan-en Garden
- Offers a unique Shirokuma with natural ice
Recommended Menu: Saryokuma (Saryo’s Shirokuma)
A premium Shirokuma made with natural ice, rich condensed milk, and colorful fresh fruits, creating a refreshing and elegant dessert.
📍 Location: 9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima (inside Sengan-en Garden)
💰 Price: About ¥1,000 JPY~ ($7 USD~)
📅 Reservation: Not required
🌐 Official Website: Sengan-en Saryo
Conclusion
Tenmonkan is the best place in Kagoshima to try Shirokuma, from the original version at Mujyaki to modern and tropical variations. Whether you prefer classic, artistic, or fruity Shirokuma, these cafés offer something for everyone. If you visit Kagoshima, make sure to try this famous local dessert!
FAQ
Shirokuma is a traditional Kagoshima shaved ice dessert, topped with sweet milk syrup, fresh fruit, and raisins.
The original Shirokuma was created at Tenmonkan Mujyaki, one of Kagoshima’s most famous dessert cafés.
Most Kagoshima Shirokuma cafés do not require reservations, but popular places may have waiting times.
Shirokuma was invented in 1947 by Take Kubota, the founder of the café Mujyaki in Kagoshima City.
The raisins on top looked like eyes, making the dessert resemble a polar bear (Shirokuma in Japanese).