While many may write off Japan’s wet and humid rainy season as a complete wash out, there’s actually a few upsides to this time of year if you know where to look. Just one example is the blooming of hydrangeas, a colourful flower known for its pretty pink, blue and purple tones, which can only be seen during rainy season.

The season may be wet, but it still retains the high temperatures of summer, meaning you don’t have to put a stop to enjoying Japan’s summer specialties, including kakigori, a shaved ice dessert flavoured with syrup and other refreshing toppings. One kakigori cafe in Kamakura, a beachside town not far from Tokyo, has found a delicious way to combine the two and make a sweet and icy tribute to the representative flower of the rainy season.

This exceedingly Instagrammable kakigori (1420 yen) is inspired by hydrangea flowers. The blue ice will change to purple right before your very eyes, when the accompanying homemade lemon syrup is poured on top of it. The shaved ice can also be customised by choosing your favourite fruit syrup, and the option to add shiratama mochi balls is available too.

If flower-inspired desserts aren’t really your thing there’s plenty of other kakigori to choose from with fruit toppings such as strawberry, or matcha if you prefer Japanese style dessert flavours.

The cafe itself, called Komachi Chaya, can be found on the famous Komachi Street, making it a convenient place to visit while on a Kamakura day trip in the summer.

Address: ｉ－ＺＡ鎌倉 2F, 1 Chome-6-15 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0006

Komachi Chaya Instagram