The nationally famous Shirokuma is a local sweet that originated in Kagoshima Prefecture. Ice cream bars and cup ice creams are sold at convenience stores and supermarkets, but the authentic Kagoshima Shirokuma is something else.

Polar bears are a symbol of summer in southern Kyushu, especially Kagoshima, and are loved by people of all ages, from children to adults.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of polar bears.

Characteristics of Polar Bears

Shirokuma is shaved ice with condensed milk poured over it and topped with fruits such as raisins and cherries. Although it is shaved ice, it is topped with fruit and is quite filling.

Its distinctive features are the fluffy texture of the ice and the homemade condensed milk. Even though it is condensed milk, it is not cloyingly sweet and can be eaten up easily. The original condensed milk is especially recommended, it is addictively delicious.

There are so many different kinds of Shirokuma in Kagoshima that it is said that there are as many coffee shops as there are coffee shops. Another appealing point is that you can choose according to your preferences and the mood of the day. Shirokuma, a specialty of Kagoshima that is sold all year round, is a very popular sweet among tourists.

It is said that the name comes from the fact that when viewed from above after the toppings are added, it resembles a polar bear, so it was named "Polar Bear" in keeping with its appearance.

The traditional way to make a polar bear's eyes is with raisins and a nose with cherries, while cut pineapple or small cookies are used for the ears.

Even though they are all called polar bears, they look different depending on the store. Each store has its own unique features, such as three-dimensional, authentic polar bears or slightly silly polar bears. Before eating, enjoy the expression on the polar bear's face.

History of Polar Bears

There are various theories about the birth of the polar bear. One of them is that it was invented by Takeshi Kubo, the founder of Tenmonkan Mujaki, in 1947. Polar bears began to be sold around 1949.

At the time, Shirokuma was a simple shaved ice flavored with white and red syrup. Later, when they tried pouring milk over strawberries and found it to be delicious, they started pouring condensed milk over the ice. However, the condensed milk was too sweet, so after repeated improvements, they created a unique, refreshing milk-flavored syrup.

Then, diced fruit and beans were added to the shaved ice, and it was topped with raisins, cherries, and angelica, creating the base of modern-day Shirokuma.

Tenmonkan Mujaki is said to be the original Shirokuma. Tenmonkan Mujaki is close to Kagoshima Station and is visited by many people. Tenmonkan Mujaki sells a wide variety of Shirokuma flavors, including strawberry, chocolate, and matcha. Some Shirokuma are topped with pudding.

Kagoshima sweets include more than just polar bears

When it comes to local sweets in Kagoshima, the classic is the Shirokuma. However, other than Shirokuma, Kuma in various colors are also popular. We will introduce three distinctive colored Kuma. All of them are sure to make you want to eat them.

Yellow bear

Yellow Bear is mango-flavored shaved ice. It's similar to Taiwanese shaved ice. The fluffy ice is soaked in a generous amount of mango sauce, which is irresistible. Of course, it's filled with chunks of mango pulp, as well as bananas, a yellow fruit.

Red bear

Akaguma is dragon fruit flavored shaved ice. It has a sweet and sour refreshing taste. It is topped with pineapple and melon, and has a layer of vanilla ice cream on top. It has a tropical Kagoshima-esque look.

Black Bear

There are two types of shaved ice called Kurokuma. The first is coffee flavored shaved ice. The bitter taste of coffee is added to the condensed milk, creating a light taste. There is coffee jelly inside the shaved ice. It is a delight for coffee lovers. The other is brown sugar syrup flavored shaved ice. It is a Japanese sweet with the unmistakable combination of brown sugar syrup and kinako.

If you come to Kagoshima, you should stop by Sakurajima

Sakurajima shows different faces depending on the season, time, and viewing location. World-famous as an active volcano that is still active, Sakurajima is a popular tourist spot in Kagoshima.

Sakurajima, which floats in Kinko Bay, is the symbol of Kagoshima. It is 1,117m high (Kita-dake and Ontake), has an area of about 80km² and a circumference of about 52km. As it is made up of two volcanoes, Kita-dake and Minami-dake, it appears long and narrow from the city of Kagoshima.

Sakurajima, which was formed about 26,000 years ago, has experienced repeated eruptions. However, people have been living on the island since the Jomon period.

The reason why people continue to live on Sakurajima despite suffering from volcanic disasters such as large eruptions and mudslides is because of the blessings the volcano brings them: delicious foods such as Sakurajima daikon and Sakurajima small mandarins, hot springs that help relieve the fatigue of daily life, and the beautiful scenery of the mountains and villages.

The sight of Sakurajima, which continues to emit smoke, is captivating to many people. It attracts tourists not only from Japan but also from overseas. At the lava fields and observation points, you can enjoy scenery far removed from your everyday life.

How to get to Kagoshima

If you want to eat the real Shirokuma, then head to Kagoshima. There are various ways to get to Kagoshima. Most people use JR trains or airplanes.

Here is the travel time required from major cities across Japan to Kagoshima. Travel time may vary depending on the season and weather.

[Access by JR]

・From Shin-Osaka: approx. 3 hours 50 minutes ・From Okayama: approx. 3 hours ・From Hiroshima: approx. 2 hours 20 minutes ・From Hakata: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes ・From Kumamoto: approx. 50 minutes

[Access by plane]

・About 2 hours from Haneda Airport・About 1 hour 20 minutes from Chubu Centrair International Airport・About 1 hour 10 minutes from Itami Airport・About 45 minutes from Fukuoka Airport・About 1 hour 20 minutes from Okinawa Airport

Besides JR trains and planes, you can also travel by express bus or ferry. We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Kagoshima.

Location of Kagoshima Prefecture

summary

Shirokuma, decorated with colorful fruits, is not only visually appealing but also tasty. The ice flavors and toppings vary depending on the shop, making it a sweet treat that you'll want to try and compare.

If you visit Kagoshima, be sure to try Shirokuma.

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