Iceman Fukudome (Ice Cream Expert)
Ice Man Fukutome: Eats over 1,000 types of ice cream a year. Founded the Japan Ice Cream Mania Association in 2014. Author of "The Complete Guide to Nostalgic Japanese Ice Creams." Has a weak stomach.
Nostalgic Legend Ice
Tokyo is a city overflowing with sweets, and there are many legendary ice cream shops that have been loved throughout the ages. From the sophisticated ice creams that were born in the Meiji era to the simple soft serve ice creams of the Showa era, to flavors that were introduced from overseas, each shop has its own story and history.
Shiseido Parlour in Ginza was a pioneer in introducing Western culture to Japan in 1902 as Japan's first soda fountain. The ice cream at this famous shop, frequented by many literary figures, completely changed the Japanese perception of sweets. Omiya Confectionery is a long-established shop that continues to serve its carefully crafted homemade ice cream, regardless of the season, and its appealing flavors.
Nakano's Daily Chico is known as a pioneer of photogenic culture, and its colorful eight-layer soft serve is a must-try for ice cream lovers. Mikado Coffee's "Mikado Coffee Mocha Soft Serve®" established the perfect harmony of coffee and ice cream in 1969, becoming a local favorite from Tokyo to Karuizawa. SOWA has been a long-established shop loved by locals for its gentle, egg-free flavor since before Tokyo Tower was built.
Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream was a revolutionary company that was launched in 1974. Its innovative chocolate mint flavor, described as "peppermint," became a staple in Japan, bringing flavor diversity to the ice cream world.
These legendary restaurants are the trajectory of a revolution in food culture. From the pre-war and post-war periods to the present day, each restaurant has evolved while maintaining its essence, and they are a concentrated expression of Tokyo's memories and a revolution in taste. A tour of this "living food cultural heritage" is sure to leave a rich memory of flavors etched in our hearts.
Shiseido Parlour Ginza Main Store Salon de Cafe
Originally established as Japan's first soda fountain, it was renovated into the Shiseido Ice Cream Parlour in 1928. The status of eating ice cream at a Ginza restaurant elevated its value. Its classic flavour, with stories of famous writers frequenting it, continues to be loved throughout the ages.
Address: 3F Tokyo Ginza Shiseido Building, 8-8-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku | Map
Omiya Western Confectionery Shop
This long-established shop, which dates back to the Meiji era, continues to maintain its unique style of chilled soft serve. The distinctive paper sleeve design that covers the entire cone is a one-of-a-kind visual identity not found in other shops, and is a notable presence in the history of ice cream design.
Address: 2-4 Kanda Awajicho, Chiyoda-ku | Map
Daily Chico
This iconic ice cream cone is a fusion of Tokyo subculture and ice cream. Since its founding in 1966, it has proposed a new relationship between youth culture and ice cream with its unconventional style of stacking ice cream eight layers high. Its visual impact can be said to be a pioneer of modern photogenic sweets.
Address: Nakano Broadway B1, 5-52-15 Nakano, Nakano-ku | Map
Mikado Coffee Nihonbashi Main Branch
Mikado Coffee's Mocha Soft Serve® is a specialty that broke new ground by fusing coffee culture with ice cream. Its legendary flavor captivated even John Lennon and his wife in Karuizawa. The idea of allowing people who don't drink coffee to enjoy the flavor led to the diversification of soft serve flavors.
Address: 1-6-7 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku | Map
SOWA
This long-established ice cream shop has been in business since before Tokyo Tower was built, and continues to maintain its unique egg-free recipe, which sets it apart from other shops. It was renovated in 2021, and while the logo and containers have evolved, the shop has maintained its commitment to the same taste since its founding, enhancing its historical value as an ice cream specialty store.
Address: 3-19-10 Toranomon, Minato-ku | Map
Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream
The chain known worldwide as Baskin-Robbins is localized in Japan under the name Baskin-Robbins. At the time, simple flavors dominated the Japanese market, but the vibrant flavors from overseas made a big impact, laying the foundation for the diverse ice cream market in Japan today.
Address: Meguro store / 3-1-1 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku | Map
