In the scorching summer heat, cold gourmet food is what you crave. There are many options like hiyashi chuka and watermelon, but shaved ice is also a must-have. In Aichi Prefecture, the number of shops offering shaved ice has rapidly increased in recent years. Beyond the classic, fluffy and photogenic shaved ice is now attracting attention.

However, there are also voices on social media questioning the price of shaved ice. Popular shaved ice now commonly costs over 1000 yen per cup. This time, we closely researched the financial situation of popular shaved ice shops.

Fans from all over the country flock to a shaved ice specialty store that boasts a 3-layer structure and is particular about both appearance and taste.

The first shop we focused on was "Cotocotto," located a 5-minute walk from Tsurumai Station in Naka Ward, Nagoya City. It's a specialty store where you can enjoy shaved ice that is particular about both appearance and taste, not only in summer but all year round.

It's a popular shop with many regular customers, attracting shaved ice lovers from all over the country. We asked customers about the reason for its popularity.

(Customer)
"The change in flavor is appealing. The syrup changes within the shaved ice."

The limited-time menu item "Apricot and Plum" has a three-layer structure. The first layer is milk with apricot and plum sauce, red wine sauce, oregano, and an espuma of fresh cream. The second layer has milk and fragrant perilla sauce with yogurt sauce. The third layer also has plenty of milk with apricot and plum sauce, espuma, plum pulp, and mint. The characteristic is that one shaved ice uses 10 kinds of ingredients.

(Cotocotto owner, Megumi Nakano)
"'New impression to shaved ice' (is the concept). We make various shaved ice with seasonal and rare ingredients."

They are not bound by conventional ideas and try various combinations of ingredients, developing new menus in between business hours. They have offered over 200 kinds of shaved ice in two years.

Also offering savory shaved ice! The cost rate is almost the same as a general restaurant.

Some menu items have combinations that are unthinkable for shaved ice, which is often considered a dessert.

(Cotocotto staff)
"It's engawa, perilla, and plum."
(Customer)
"(Q: Engawa fish?) That's right! It's engawa fish. All the savory shaved ice is delicious."

"Cotocotto" had "savory shaved ice" as a specialty menu item.

(Cotocotto owner, Megumi Nakano)
"I prefer sweet and savory. I wanted to offer sweet and savory shaved ice at the shop. Engawa is fatty and has a rich flavor. Plum and perilla make it refreshing."

(Producer, Atsushi Ito)
"Savory shaved ice is a dish in itself."

In the past, they have offered "Beef tendon and rapeseed potage" and "Chili shrimp mala Chinese." "Once you try it, you'll be hooked!" and it's a hot topic among shaved ice lovers.

Essential for such special shaved ice is the technique of shaving the ice. If all layers are shaved to the same thickness, the bottom layer will melt by the time you eat it due to the pressure from the top layer. Therefore, they shave the bottom a little thicker and gradually thinner towards the top to create a fluffy texture, among other innovations.

Here, we delved into the financial situation of shaved ice, which is filled with passion and dedication. First, about the ice.

(Cotocotto owner, Megumi Nakano)
"A block of brand ice from Kamikochi (Nagano Prefecture) costs about 800 yen. Half a block can make 6 or 7 cups."

In the case of "Cotocotto," the cost of ice per cup is about 60 yen. However, they use various ingredients such as plenty of fruit and sauces, so the overall cost rate for one cup of shaved ice is about 30% to 35%. Since the cost rate for a general restaurant is said to be around 30%, it's not that they are making a huge profit.

(Cotocotto owner, Megumi Nakano)
"There are shaved ice events in Tokyo and Osaka. We sell 300 to 400 cups a day."

They said that if they set up a stall at a summer event, they might be able to make a lot of profit.

A cost rate of about 70%! The commitment and pride of a popular shop that continues to make shaved ice despite this.

Next, we focused on "T.9 Cafe" in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, which opened in 2022. It's a popular shop with queues forming before opening, all for shaved ice.

One of the reasons for its popularity is its fluffy texture. In the kitchen, there was an unfamiliar machine.

(Owner, Takahiro Sakai)
"It's a machine that makes Korean-style 'Ito Pins' (shaved ice)."

The base for the ice is milk and gum syrup. This liquid is spread onto a roller, flash-frozen, and then shaved off with a blade to create a smooth, soft, new-texture shaved ice.

The second reason for its popularity is its captivating and impactful appearance. The extravagant shaved ice, topped with two carefully selected seasonal peaches, surprises customers.

This peach shaved ice is a special product for Mr. Sakai...

(Owner, Takahiro Sakai)
"In the first year of opening, we had a deficit of 7 million yen, and in the second year, a deficit of 3 million yen. How could I get customers to come? How could I catch their eye? While I was struggling, the two-tiered peach shaved ice was born."

However, the cost rate for the most popular two-tiered peach shaved ice is about 70%. If it goes beyond this line, the business cannot be managed. Other shaved ice also uses carefully selected fruits, and since it's milk-based shaved ice instead of water, most have a cost rate of over 30%. After deducting utility costs and labor costs...

(Owner, Takahiro Sakai)
"The profit per cup of shaved ice is about 100 to 300 yen. We are barely in the black now."

For the sake of his customers, he tries to keep prices as low as possible while making a profit, so he does all the morning preparations himself. He also works long hours without taking breaks during business hours, making a lot of effort.

(Owner, Takahiro Sakai)
"Profit is not everything. I feel rewarded by a simple 'It was delicious' or 'Thank you.' That's why I can continue working all day, standing all day. My conviction won't waver."

On the day we observed, sales were about 90 cups, totaling about 160,000 yen, but after deducting utility costs and other expenses, there was almost nothing left in hand.

Nevertheless, he is determined to continue offering shaved ice as long as his physical strength allows, adapting to the evolution and changes of the times.

From CBC TV "Chant!" broadcast on July 13, 2026