If you are visiting Japan in the summer, you absolutely must try Kakigori (Japanese shaved ice). One of the best, most foreigner-friendly, and budget-friendly places to experience this is Coco’s, a popular “family restaurant” chain with over 500 locations across Japan.
In this guide, I will show you exactly how to navigate their unique automated system and review their amazing 2026 summer Kakigori menu!
How to Enter: The Automated Seating System
When you walk into Coco’s, you might be surprised—there is often no staff member waiting to seat you. Instead, you will use a touch-screen terminal at the entrance.
It’s very simple. Just enter the number of people in your group on the screen.
This screen also supports English.
Once you enter the number, the screen will print a receipt or display your table number (e.g., Table 42). You don’t need to wait; just walk straight into the dining area and find your numbered table by yourself! It’s a stress-free and foreigner-friendly system.
Self-Service Water & How to Order
Another unique thing about Japanese family restaurants is the self-service water system. You won’t be served water at your table. Instead, head over to the “Drink Bar” area.
Just grab a cup, add some ice, and fill it with water from the tap. Important tip: The free water is located in the exact same spot as the paid “Drink Bar” (all-you-can-drink station). If you haven’t ordered the Drink Bar, be careful not to accidentally pour yourself sodas, juices, or coffee!
How to Order: Ordering is completely stress-free! Every table is equipped with a touch-screen tablet, and you can easily switch the language to English. To place your order, just look at the physical menu on your table, find the item number next to the dish or dessert you want, and type that number into the tablet.
The 2026 Kakigori Menu & My Secret Ordering Tip
For the summer of 2026, Coco’s offers 6 flavors for their regular-sized Kakigori (Strawberry, Shirokuma, Dubai Chocolate, Matcha Kintoki, Mango, and Pop Blue) and 6 “Mini” sizes.
💡 Pro Tip for Ordering: The mini sizes are cheaper, but please note that they do NOT come with the fluffy whipped cream on top. If you order a mini size, I highly recommend adding the “Whipped Cream Topping (追加ふわとろホイップ)” on the tablet for just 100 JPY! It dramatically elevates the taste. (Regular sizes already come with the whipped cream, so you don’t need to order the extra topping for those.)
Honest Taste Reviews: Which Flavor Should You Choose?
Here is my review of the flavors I have actually tried!
1. Strawberry (Regular Size) The regular size is incredibly huge! The strawberry sauce on top is absolutely delicious. It comes with fluffy whipped cream, and eating it together with the shaved ice is an exquisite experience. It’s hard to believe this high quality is only 890 JPY (excluding tax)!
2. Shirokuma This flavor comes with various fruits and sweetened condensed milk. It also includes “anko” (sweet red bean paste), allowing you to enjoy a traditional Japanese taste along with the fruity sweetness.
3. Dubai Chocolate This one features a double topping of pistachio and chocolate sauces. The chocolate flavor is quite prominent, so it is highly recommended for chocolate lovers.
4. Mini Mango Although it says “mini,” the portion is surprisingly satisfying, even for an adult man. As mentioned earlier, the mini sizes don’t include whipped cream, so I strongly recommend ordering the extra whipped cream topping for the best experience.
If you are looking for a place to cool down from the Japanese summer heat, find your nearest Coco’s and enjoy this amazing dessert!
Want to try Premium Traditional Kakigori? If you are planning to visit the Nikko area, you must try “Tennen-gori” (natural shaved ice). Check out my review of Shogetsu Himuro, one of the most famous shaved ice shops in Japan!
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