Shirokuma literally means white bear, but here it means a bowl of shaved ice with condensed milk syrop and freezed colourful fruits.



It is a speciality of Kagoshima, as I introduced in my previous article as the mecca of Shochu, distilled spirit.

Kagoshima’s summer is realy hot, since it places in the southernmost prefecture of Kyushu Island, so people eat this to get rid of the heat.

The name Shirokuma comes from its cute looks, the white color and the fruits placed like white bear’s face.

Also, I should note that this ice is the real, original Shirokuma of Tenmonkan Mujaki(there’re many copies), home-made, shaved by a special knife.



It’s available not only in Kagoshima, but during summer season also in Mitsukoshi Department in Tenjin, Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu. (It’s a temporaly shop during summer vacation!)

When you buy Shirokumas, shop people put some dry ice to keep them freezed for next 3 hours, so that you can bring them home.