Just imagine: it's a hot summer day and you are longing for some sweet refreshment. Maybe some home-made chilled Purin (Japanese custard) with a sweet, but not overbearing caramel sauce. Or some freshly shaved ice (kakigori), topped with strawberries and a light syrup that is complemented by the creaminess of some condensed milk.
These desserts alone sound like a dream come true, but picture yourself enjoying these whilst overlooking one of Japan's most scenic spots! Too good to be true? No, more than good and absolutely true!
This sweet (pun intended!) dream is coming true at Shokado Cafe in Matsushima, where you can feast on some outstandingly delicious baked goods and sweet treats, whilst overlooking the stunning Matsushima bay, one of the three most scenic spots in all of Japan!
Shokado Cafe has been established in Matsushima over 100 years ago and used to be a confectionary at first, before it was turned into a cafe. They use fresh, locally produced ingredients, and all their goods are baked fresh on the day, which seems to be the secret to their exceptionally soft and moist Castella Cake.
Apart from their famous sponge cake, they also offer the above mentioned kakigori, purin, home-made soft cream, a heavenly light and fluffy kinako dacquoise, a wide range of cold and hot beverages, as well as the most delicious senbei (Japanese rice crackers) I ever had the pleasure of eating in my entire life!
The cafe is located on the second floor, giving you an unobstructed view over the famous Matsushima bay, with its many pine clad islets.
On the first floor you'll find a souvenir shop that offers a range of furoshiki (a type of wrapping cloth that can be turned into a carrier bag) and home-made senbei. Here you can also buy one of their acclaimed, freshly baked "Big Senbei" which are served straight from the oven, covered in a to-die-for sweet and spicy soy sauce and a big nori (seaweed) sheet.
If you want to experience this dessert-and-stunning-scenery-dream for yourself, make sure you head over to Matsushima; you can get here from JR Sendai station by taking the JR Senseki Line to Matsushima Kaigan Station.
They also have a facebook page that you can check out here https://www.facebook.com/shokadomatsushima/
They also have a facebook page that you can check out here https://www.facebook.com/shokadomatsushima/
Happy adventuring!