Parfaits are hugely popular in Japan. Sometimes you feel like every restaurant has it on their menu. And, well it's delicious all year round, but it's particularly good in the summer. Loaded with fruits, and ice cream. It's refreshing and sweet. How about trying a limited edition summer parfait or a parfait made with delicious summer fruits? Yesssss!

What is a parfait?

A parfait is a dessert that originated in France and is made with custard, whereas the American version usually is made with yogurt, granola and fruits. The Japanese integrated the dish to their cuisine and made it fantastic and even more beautiful, and even use local ingredients. It is usually made with layers of cornflakes, whipped cream, ice cream, sauce or jam, and topped with cookies, fresh fruit, or even mochi, etc.

Japanese parfaits greatly vary in price, from around 500 YEN, to 2000 YEN.

The (limited-time edition) fruit parfait

For delicious and fresh seasonal fruits, you should try the peach parfait at the Takano fruit bar. They change their menu seasonally, and peaches are in now! It is made with yogurt and cream and is only available this summer, so hurry!

And another...

Cozy Corner also offers a limited time edition fruit parfait. This one is made of deliciously fresh strawberries! It's incredible during this spring season!

The Japanese style parfait

Since you're in Japan, wouldn't you like to try something made with incredible local ingredients! Ice cream, mochi and matcha. It's highly addictive, but hey you've been warned! You can try a beautiful matcha parfait at Yojiya Cafe.

Yojiya Cafe is a very famous cosmetic brand in Japan, few people know they also have a cafe. In Tokyo, there is a branch in Shibuya's Hikarie (by Shibuya station) or right in Haneda airport.

The GIANT parfait

This over the top gigantic parfait is also something special to try in Japan. If you're quite hungry, you can have it by yourself (challenge accepted!), but you're probably better off sharing it with a few friends. At Sakura Cafe, a Japanese-style cafe, you can have this 63.4 cm high parfait. It is supposed to be 1/1000 of the height of the Tokyo Skytree. They have either matcha or berry & yogurt flavor.

Other desserts you should try while in Japan!

If you want a totally Japanese version of the parfait, you should try kakigori (かき氷）,

it is shaved ice topped with a sweet syrup, but there are tons of variations. It can be topped with caramel, or fruits, etc.