People wait in line for up to two hours outside Ice Monster, a new shaved ice shop in Harajuku, Tokyo. Shaved ice is a popular treat in summer in Japan.
© Japan TodayHave an ice day
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People wait in line for up to two hours outside Ice Monster, a new shaved ice shop in Harajuku, Tokyo. Shaved ice is a popular treat in summer in Japan.
© Japan Today
25 Comments
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Camman80
Cool name
thepersoniamnow
If you are someone willing to stand for hours for an ice cone then you are....well exactly that. Have a nice day.
DeDe Miura
I just can't imagine having so much free time to be able to stand in line so long... and the incredible patience...maybe I'll never get to that stage in my life.
Speed
That's a helluva long line for shaved ice. Is it really that good?
jcapan
On the heels of the 1000-person line in Tottori for coffee, and the long lines at Pachinko parlors on sunny mornings long before they open ... people have strange ideas about how to spend their leisure time.
JeffLee
Glucose syrup with artificial flavors and coloring, in my experience. Perhaps the worst and most dangerous junk food in the world. I wonder if this is any different?
Wc626
I heard some of these famed japanese shaved ice stands use special mineral water, from some "sacred well/spring", for their ice. Thats prob why.
Sensato
Nearly every person in this line appears to be a 20-something Japanese female.
Obviously, they have not yet been caught up in Abe's "womanomics" net — still living the life of Riley.
Himajin
It's not the usual kind.
http://ice-monster.co.jp
GW
Lineups & Japanese never understood it, I have better use for my time, if I never get to sample these famed foodstuffs ...........I will survive!
Steve Crichton
Well a great place for over 40s to strike up a chat and make a date. Or anyone for that matter. How cool. Pardon the pun. However..........
Robert Dykes
As much as japan loves shaved ice (kakigori) they desperately need introduce Italian shaved iced (gelato). I have only had it in a handful of Italian restaurants. One of the neighborhoods I grew up in had a family owned gelato stand that has been around for decades. Cold, delicious, and affordable (unlike the Italian restaurants).
harvey pekar
I love ice cream. Love. It. If I had children, I'd gladly trade them for more ice cream.
That being said, dude, you can get stuff that tastes just as good at a much lower price in a few minutes at the local 7-11. Eating Ice Monster isn't like seeing the Pyramids or the Great Wall face to face. What Ice Monster sells is what other places have sold long before them and it's readily available everywhere.
hokkaidoguy
@Robert Dykes
Gelato isn't shaved ice (nor is it rare by any stretch in Japan). Are you thinking of granita maybe?
Kobe White Bar Owner
roll up roll up come and get you poison artificial i.q reducing junk, irasshai.
Yubaru
I wonder what would happen if a busload of Chinese tourists got dropped off at the head of the line?
marcels
Only in Japan , They seem to have a lot of Patience when it comes to waiting in line for things, as for me , i'd just go to the nearest Lawson, and have my own ice day, with 2 hours up my sleeve....
Evan Hayden
I don't think I'll ever understand this concept of long queues just to eat some trendy new food. Just wait a few days and you'll be able to eat it and not have to sacrifice as much time (or sacrifice your tired feet). If it's that people have to eat the new thing so they can discuss it with their friends, I wonder if there's not much else interesting going on in their lives... Oh well, to each their own, I guess.
nath
If it's interesting to them, who are we to say any different?
sillygirl
hope they don't get heat exhaustion before they get their ice monster.
Kapuna
Agree with Evan Hayden's post. I always wait at least a week befroe going to a new opening. That way you have information on the pro/cons of the establishment.
Christopher Glen
It tastes better when you add brandy
Britlover
To be fair, many places now serve with fruit, condensed milk, ice cream and others, but... for something you can make at home... two hours... for the fad of the week... hmmm. Well. No. The non-Japanese guy, in front of the 3rd lamp post, photoshop, zoom in. I know you!
Christopher Glen
In Japan, if it's worth doing or visiting, then the waiting time in line should be at least 30 minutes
sandhonour
I walked pass this 2 weeks ago and the queue was just crazy. Reminds me of all the food crazes that Japan has gone through in the past. I wonder what the queue will be in winter?