Sapporo’s Unique Late-Night Trend: “Parfait, Coffee, Liquor, Sato” and the Rise of Shime Parfaits

During a recent trip to Hokkaido, I stumbled upon a new Sapporo trend called “shime parfait” while casually searching for something novel.

Though mostly limited to central Sapporo near Susukino, a growing number of places are now offering original parfaits as a way to wrap up your evening.

Sapporo Shime Parfait

Parfaits after drinking? Seriously?
It might be a dream come true for dessert lovers—but it does sound heavy. Still, I was intrigued.

This new culture only started spreading around September 2015, so it’s still relatively fresh.

This time, I visited one of the core shime parfait hotspots: Parfait, Coffee, Liquor, Sato.

As the name implies, they offer more than parfaits—you can also enjoy alcohol and coffee. Whether you’re in the mood for another drink or a quiet coffee to end the night, this spot caters to all. And of course, there’s a fantastic selection of parfaits to choose from—perfect for everyone, not just sweets fans!

“Parfait, Coffee, Liquor, Sato”—One of Sapporo’s Most Popular Shime Parfait Spots

It was a weekday evening in late October, around 10:30 PM. Assuming it wouldn’t be too busy, I showed up casually—only to find a long line outside. This place is clearly popular!

They were open until midnight that day, so I was a bit nervous, but luckily people were leaving regularly and I was able to get in. Phew!

They seemed to pace the seating based on preparation times, so the flow was a bit slow. Still, the place was packed with guests enjoying alcohol, parfaits, and coffee.

The parfait menu included four colorful options, plus items like ice cream, cake, and coffee.

They also have a wide range of drinks, perfect if you’re in the mood for another round. Though not pictured, they also serve small bites like mixed snacks and even butter chicken curry.

Since it was our first visit, we went with the all-in-one tasting set (¥2,300), which included alcohol, appetizers, a parfait, and coffee. It felt quite luxurious, but for a second round of the evening, it’s actually great value.

I expected mostly women, but to my surprise, there were also quite a few men—including all-male groups, possibly coworkers stopping by after work. Still, the ratio was around 70–80% women.

Start With Drinks and Snacks, End With Parfait and Coffee

We kicked off the evening with a toast—I chose sparkling wine.

Then came five small appetizers. I didn’t expect this many, and each one was impressively crafted. Honestly, Sato-san could open a European bistro tomorrow and it would be a hit.

I ordered the “Salted Caramel and Pistachio” parfait (¥1,100 a la carte). The cup was layered with cassis mousse, soft serve, and apple jelly, and each bite gave a new flavor experience.

The ice cream, whipped cream, and crispy layers (not sure what they’re called) were all crafted to perfection. Even though I’m not a huge sweets person, the balance of fruity, creamy, and crunchy textures kept things interesting—never too sweet or overwhelming.

My companion got the seasonal fruit parfait (¥1,320), which leaned more fruity and refreshing. Great for fruit lovers, though I personally preferred the salted caramel one. Both were delicious!

We ended the night with coffee. Unlike ramen or rice dishes, which can leave you feeling stuffed, coffee provides a clean and satisfying finish. Or is it just me?

Let the Shime Parfait Trend Spread Across Japan

I’m usually someone who prefers savory foods like ramen over dessert, but I must say—the shime parfait idea totally won me over.

While it’s great that this has become part of Sapporo’s food culture, wouldn’t it be amazing to have cities where you can choose from ramen, udon, or parfait to end your night?

Fukuoka, with its large population of young women, could easily adopt this trend if done right—quality is key. I really hope someone gives it a try.

At the end of the day, what stood out at “Parfait, Coffee, Liquor, Sato” was the exceptional quality of everything, especially the parfaits, combined with a stylish and relaxing atmosphere. No surprise that it’s so popular.

Even with all the ramen temptations in Sapporo, a shime parfait experience is totally worth it!

※Information accurate at time of writing. Please check the official site for updates.