Shaved ice of the natural ice into which& time frame limitation in this place evolves

I walk from the Tobu Railway Shimoimaichi Station, and, about 15 minutes. There is a natural ice wholesale store "Matsutsuki icehouse (GETSUHIMURO which shoulders)" main store of the foundation in an area which prospers as Imaichi inn on the Nikko highway in 1894. A traveler doesn't cease because shaved ice of year-round and natural ice can be tasted at a storefront.

They're this and "raw strawberry premium" (800 yen* excluding tax) to divide popularity in two in the menu the number is. Strawberry kingdom where Tochigi takes pride in its production Japanese best. I'm lenient and use strawberry made in an aromatic fresh prefecture much in the contents in a source.

Another, "blindly Aah Ruth melon" (1300 yen* excluding tax). Half of aah Ruth melon of a luxury melon is used wholly, and a seed part is cored, and it's one made a container. Agreement of fresh flesh of a melon and condensed milk. Carbonated water is thrown into the capacity of the melon to finish, and it's the with a bonus which enjoys melon soda while rubbing flesh off.

The summer of the shaved ice is big and voluminous every menu, but I'm not tired of eating until the end. The inside of the mouth doesn't become too cold. It's said that this is the work out of which natural ice can be formed.

What is different from ordinary ice for natural ice?

After all what is natural ice?
"Matsutsuki icehouse" Yoshiara Masao of Shidai eye (stop offal Masao), make, I had (nickname and Sakae) tell me.

"The natural ice is different from ice of the freezer which freezes rapidly, and, using the coldness of the midwinter, it freezes slowly and forms. A little solid natural ice of impurities will tow spring water in a mountain to an ice pond, and is born in about 2 weeks."

I see, even if it's shaved small, so it's difficult to melt in it's of high degree of purity= solid ice, and it's the reason I say softly. Time besides that as well as time frame of ice making, cleaning and environmental improvement are also the work to talk. Because anyhow nature can be frozen just as it is, and it's a tasted reason!

Professional of the "shaved ice" by which they gather at the place where natural ice is born

At the beginning of February, 2018. It was possible to be present at a short straight-bladed knife of natural ice. One it faces is a car from a main store, 10, Shirasawa ponds several minutes. A big ice pond (length 54m x width 22m) was spread in the quiet location of the gorge, and ice had been finished in a front page. The one onto which Meiji Period and the first loaded a hand is used for Ishigaki in an uptown actively in the shadow of the mountain where Nikko of direct rays doesn't get the sun which cleared up.

The thickness of the ice pours clear spring water in a mountain into the ice pond where about 330 tsubo is here, and for about 2 weeks, it's 13-timing which is cut down if it'll be about 15 cm. The store owners in a shaved ice shop in metropolitan area who love natural ice in Matsutsuki icehouse had come to help on the day.
"When I know roots of the ice taken out at a store, you can be relieved and, Guest/customer is also glad." and, everyone seems proud.

An electric ice cutter will be moved and classified according to the line of the height and width attracted by the surface of the ice. And the feat of strength to which I say the ice drawn up puts on a rail made of bamboo, and can let slip by the manpower, and that carries. A point is the tool as "the jump mouth" which offered a key type, and I'll equal an icehouse (HIMURO) in a flow work operation while hauling ice in and bringing it near. Approximately 40 kilogram of block ice (1 weight and about 3.75 kilogram) can take 10-12 weight for the weight of 1 of ice. The number of annual production is 5500 (220t) limit.

The antique an icehouse of a wooden one-storied construction is from the prewar days. Chestnuts strong in water getting wet is used by wrong a little hinoki and inside in a pillar, and sawdust of a hinoki is hung on ice as a keeping cool pill. Without melting until summer, it's said that they have it and ice in an icehouse is only that the interest is made pioneer's wisdom.
"A basis of natural ice making isn't breaking around Meiji. So Property a founder handled and an old tool can be used just as it is." and, Sakae speaks.

Travel gift for an adult! It's on the rocks at home.

The natural ice which also appears on the "Pillow Book" in the Heian Period. A mechanical ice manufacture was introduced from foreign countries in an early stage in Meiji Period, and a brewery of ice was something rarely able to decrease sharply and meet peaking at the Taisho Era.

7 houses of natural ice making is performed by only (Tochigi prefecture Nikko city, Nagano Karuizawa street, Saitama-ken Nagatoro-machi, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi and Yamanashi-ken Kawaguchiko-machi) nationwide at present. "3 Matsutsuki icehouses" are in Nikko city soon, and the long-established store which is most. There is also an unprecedented natural ice boom, and high-quality natural ice keeps increasing in demand.
"But for making by hand, production is limited. I'd like to sell it to the person who uses rare natural ice importantly." and, Sakae.

I say "I like the buying and selling which sees a face." and don't do online sale, and it's only over the counter sale. It's being sold by the block iced one weight (950 yen* excluding tax). Other On the Rocks ice cream and shaved ice for takeout are being prepared. It's also best to buy natural ice for a travel gift and say whiskey on the rocks by home, isn't it?

Shaved ice of homemade syrup and the taste of fruits of the seasonal limitation in addition to the above-mentioned two big shaved ice are offered in whether it's variety Yutaka at a main store.
Sweets and a salad crepe are also in service in addition to the shaved ice at Otani bridge (I'm here and it's dicey.) branch office where it's here at 15 minutes on foot from a main store again.

Shaved ice of the natural ice which evolves. Already, shaved ice isn't the one only in summer.
"Shaved ice of Nikko natural ice is a time capsule. Because the good natural ice winter of Nikko produced can be tasted at any time of the year around." and, Sakae. Quite romantic! To a town and Nikko of natural ice, right or wrong going out, please.

Matsutsuki icehouse Main store

• Tochigi Nikko city Imaichi 379 MAP
• From Imaichi Station, from 6 minutes on foot and Shimoimaichi Station, 9 minutes on foot
• 11:00-18:00 (L.O.17:30) With※ winter reduction business
• Monday (in case of a holiday, the next day)
• 0288-21-0162
• Free

Matsutsuki icehouse Otani bridge store

• Tochigi Nikko city Imaichi 1527 MAP
• From Kami-imaichi Station, 8 minutes on foot
• 11:00-17:30 (L.O.17:00)
• Monday (in case of a holiday, the next day)
• 080-7840-8719
• Free