시로쿠마 빙수

시로쿠마'란 백곰를 의미한다. 얼음빙수 '시로쿠마'가 지역의 명물로 불릴 수 있었던 이유는 무려 '70여년의 역사'를 갖고 있으며 전쟁이 끝난 직후인 1947년, 여러 시행착오를 걸쳐 탄생한 '시로쿠마'는 70여년의 세월이 지났지만, 달콤하고 부드러운 맛으로 지금까지 인기를 끌고있다.

Shirokuma Shaved Ice

Shave ice – a summer seasonal tradition in Japan. Normally, shave ice is covered in colorful syrups like strawberry or melon, but in Kagoshima condensed milk is the topping of choice. With fruit scattered on top, it almost looks like the face of a polar bear, hence why it has long been affectionately called “shirokuma” (polar bear) in Kagoshima. The sweetness of the condensed milk and the sourness of the fruit combine to create a somehow nostalgic flavor so popular, people from all over Japan travel to Kagoshima just for shirokuma. The toppings and sweetness level of the condensed milk differ by purveyor, making it fun to try different places and compare.