Amid the continuing brutal heat, a cool retreat has arrived on the first floor of the Palaceside Building: sweets shop "Pokocha," which opened on the 20th. It serves shaved ice (700 yen) in three flavors -- strawberry, mango and matcha -- along with a variety of smoothies, juices and other drinks made with fresh fruit.
The lineup also includes the Brazilian-born acai bowl, popular among women as a "superfood"; "GOKUCHEE," a drinkable cheesecake that drew attention as a new kind of dessert; and yogurt. Tables and chairs are set out in front of the shop -- why not cool off for a while over a chilled treat?
Open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shop also plans to open every other Saturday.