Soft serve ice-cream in Japan hits different, especially when they’re made with Hokkaido milk. The creamy smooth texture and rich flavors make each experience absolutely delightful. Soft serves can be found pretty much everywhere and in convenience stores, but the best ones are from local farms where they use their produce to make the ice cream. There are some truly unique flavors that you can only find in a certain prefecture or farm. It’s a fun collectible activity for your mouth and tummy, plus they are usually very reasonably priced at ¥350-450.
Matcha & Hojicha
Along with chocolate and vanilla, matcha (green tea) and jojicha (roasted tea) flavors can be found quite commonly all over Japan. For truly authentic matcha flavor, head to Kyoto and Shizuoka, where matcha is grown. The most famous matcha comes from Uji in Kyoto, the birthplace of matcha.
Lavender
A must-have treat when visiting Hokkaido, especially in summer, when lavender flowers are blooming. Furano area is famous for its lavender farms with the biggest lavender farm being Lavender East by Farm Tomita. Farm Tomita itself is the recommended farm to visit as it also grows several other types of flowers and houses many shops. The lavender soft serve here is made from their lavender flowers and is especially fragrant. Other farms that grow lavender also sell their own lavender soft creams but I found them to not be very fragrant. In any case, if you are unable to visit Farm Tomita, you can also find lavender soft cream at Flowerland Kamifurano and Shikisai no Oka in Biei.
Yubari Melon
The Yubari Melon is another regional flavor of Hokkaido. Apart from lavender, the Furano area is also popular for this Hokkaido melon. Head to Popura Farm in Nakafurano or Melon House in Farm Tomita to enjoy this ice-cream on a melon slice. These melons are local to Hokkaido and expensive so expect to pay at least ¥10,000-15,000 for the melon and ice-cream topping. The typical cone serving can be found quite commonly in Hokkaido. I got mine at Shirogane Biruke.
Soda Pop
If you are touring Hokkaido, you’ll definitely swing by the Shirogane Blue Pond. Take a walk to the Roadside Station Shirogane Biruke and try the blue soft cream that can only be found here! The color reflects the blue pond pretty well and is a refreshing treat to have after exploring the area. If you’ve had Japanese soda flavored candy before, this ice-cream shouldn’t taste surprising.
Sunflower
Unique to Hokuryu Sunflower Village, this ice-cream is made with the sunflower seeds giving it a mildly nutty taste. You’ll definitely want to pick one up after touring the largest sunflower field in Japan on a hot summer day. The best viewing time for this sunflower farm is late July to August.
Ishiya Chocolate
If you’re going to have a basic chocolate or vanilla flavor, why not try the ones made by Ishiya? Known for their chocolate cookies, Ishiya also serves up frozen sweet treats made with their Shiroi Koibito chocolate. Previously only available in the Shiroi Koibito Park in Sapporo and airport departure areas in Hokkaido, Ishiya has opened a permanent branch in atmos Heart in Shibuya, where portions are larger than other branches. You can also get a taste of this ice-cream at Haneda Airport Terminal 2 departure area.
Gold Leaf
More of a decoration than flavor, this ice-cream is basically milk flavored topped with a golden leaf. Being the gold city of Japan, Kanazawa produces more than 99% of Japan’s gold leaf and so you’ll naturally find this ice-cream everywhere in Kanazawa. Most popular locations to grab one are Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Gardens.
Wasabi
Yes, the spicy radish used in sushi is also an ice-cream flavor. You can only find this at the Daio Wasabi Farm in Nagano.
Soy Sauce
Another condiment you would not expect to find as an ice-cream flavor. For fans of savory sweets, this might tickle your fancy. You can find this flavor at Hishio no Sato in Shodoshima, the home of shoyu.
Sweet Potato
This purple ice-cream is not lavender or yam, but sweet potato! This is usually an autumn seasonal flavor in Japan but you can find it all-year round in Kamakura.
If there’s a particular flavor that you’re craving for but can’t find nearby you, check out the convenience stores. The soft creams in convenience stores are unmissable when you peek into the refrigerated sections a they look perfectly in shape enclosed in their plastic packaging. Flavors in convenience stores change seasonally so you might get lucky. While the texture and flavor are not the best because they have been frozen solid hard, it is still a refreshing treat when you are craving it!
