Tamaya Cafe: Imabari’s Famous Fluffy Kakigori (Shaved Ice) All Year Round — Plus the Original Tamaya Saint-Honoré
Ask anyone in Imabari about kakigori — Japanese shaved ice — and the name Tamaya will come up within seconds. This century-old patisserie is famous nationwide for its uniquely fluffy shaved ice, and its stylish spin-off, Tamaya Cafe, serves it all year round. Yes, even in December. If you are visiting Imabari at the Shikoku end of the Shimanami Kaido, this is the sweet stop to know about, in any season.
Tamaya: a shaved-ice legend born in a patisserie
Tamaya is one of Imabari’s two great kakigori institutions. The original shop, Tamaya Saint-Honoré in Kyoeicho, has been run by the same family for four generations since the Meiji era. At heart it is a Western-style confectionery — a cake shop — and perhaps that is why its shaved ice turned out so different: soft, airy, almost mousse-like, a texture that has drawn magazine features and celebrity fans from all over Japan.
The signature order is the milkseki (milkshake-flavoured) kakigori, which comes in several sizes; the biggest is made for sharing. Locals grow up on this taste. The writer of our original Japanese article — an Imabari native — remembers his high-school brass band making a ritual trip to Tamaya before every competition: everyone ordered uji kintoki (matcha with sweet red beans), because kin means gold, and adding milk would supposedly turn the gold prize into silver. Whether the jinx still holds, nobody knows, but that is the kind of place Tamaya is — woven into local memories.
Tamaya Cafe: fluffy kakigori in every season
The family’s newer venture, Tamaya Cafe, brings that famous shaved ice into a bright, modern cafe setting. There are two branches: one in Tokiwacho, in central Imabari, and one inside the AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshi shopping centre.
The best part: Tamaya Cafe serves kakigori all year round. On one December visit, the writer’s son — warmed up from playing outside — happily ordered a bowl of shaved ice in midwinter. In summer the menu expands with seasonal fruit specials such as Shine Muscat grape and melon, at their best when the local fruit is in season.
More than shaved ice
Because Tamaya is a patisserie first, the rest of the menu holds its own. There are waffles — the matcha waffle is a favourite — plus crepes, cakes, and drinks, and you can buy cakes to take home just as at any good pastry shop. If someone in your group is not in the mood for ice, they will still eat well here. Takeaway kakigori is also available, so you can cool down outside on a hot day.
Getting there from JR Imabari Station
Tamaya Cafe (Tokiwacho): about a 13-minute walk from JR Imabari Station, in the city-centre area. Open in Google Maps
Tamaya Saint-Honoré (main shop, Kyoeicho): about a 10-minute walk from the station. Open in Google Maps
Tamaya Cafe (AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshi): the mall is inland from the city centre — local Setouchi Bus services run from Imabari Station and take about 15 minutes; check the current timetable before you go. Open in Google Maps
For cyclists: the Tokiwacho cafe and the Saint-Honoré main shop are both in central Imabari, an easy short ride from the station area — a well-earned cold reward after crossing the Shimanami bridges.
Quick FAQ
Can I really get kakigori in winter? At Tamaya Cafe, yes — shaved ice is served all year. (At the Saint-Honoré main shop, kakigori is the summer star, with cakes and confectionery the rest of the year.)
What should I order first? The milkseki kakigori is the classic. In summer, look for the seasonal fruit specials such as Shine Muscat.
Is there takeaway? Yes — takeaway kakigori is available, and cakes can be boxed to go.
Shop information
Tamaya Saint-Honoré (main shop)
Address: 2-2-54 Kyoeicho, Imabari City, Ehime
Tel: 0898-22-2076
Hours: 10:30–19:00 (until 21:00 in summer)
Closed: irregular holidays (open daily in July–August)
Tamaya Cafe — Tokiwacho branch
Address: 7-1-45 Tokiwacho, Imabari City, Ehime
Tel: 0898-55-8858
Hours: 11:00–21:00 (open daily in summer)
Tamaya Cafe — AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshi branch
Location: AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshi, 1F
Hours: 10:00–21:00 (crepe last order 20:45)
Hours and prices can change — please check the latest official information before visiting.
Original article in Japanese: 【玉屋カフェ】今治名物のかき氷が一年中！本店サントノーレと系列カフェのご紹介
