AIPAKU® TOKYO – Japan’s ultimate ice cream destination – has arrived in Harajuku! This one-of-a-kind specialty shop brings together over 100 unique ice creams from every corner of the country, each packed with regional flavors and local stories. We visited the buzzworthy store to experience it firsthand, and spoke with curator "Iceman" Fukudome, who shared his top 5 must-try ice creams for anyone visiting Japan.
Dining & Food
Aug 29. 2025
"AIPAKU® TOKYO" Debuts in Harajuku! Discover 5 Must-Try Local Ice Creams from Across Japan
What is "AIPAKU ® TOKYO"? Over 100 Regional Ice Creams - All in One Place!
Opened on June 5, 2025 in Harajuku, Tokyo, AIPAKU ® TOKYO is an ice cream specialty store that brings together local ice cream from all over Japan. The store is curated by ice cream expert "Iceman" Fukudome, who has traveled all 47 prefectures of Japan in search of the country’s best frozen treats. It was launched to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the hugely popular Ice Cream® Expo, an event that has drawn over 4.4 million visitors to date.
The biggest draw of "AIPAKU ® TOKYO" is the rich lineup of more than 100 kinds of ice cream available at all times. Showcasing local favorites and standout creations from across Japan, the lineup is constantly rotating - offering fresh discoveries every time you stop by.
The minimalist white interior sets the stage for the vibrant ice creams on display, letting each colorful scoop take center stage. Stepping inside feels like flipping through the pages of a delightful ice cream picture book!
Hokkaido Soft-Serve: The Star of AIPAKU® TOKYO
AIPAKU ® TOKYO sells not only local ice cream but also soft-serve ice cream. True to its name, "Harajuku Flower Soft" is a soft-serve ice cream crafted to resemble a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Piped through a special nozzle, each swirl blooms into a delicate floral shape, creating a striking and photogenic treat that perfectly captures the vibrant and creative spirit of Harajuku’s food culture.
There are two flavors of soft-serve ice cream. Both of them are made with fresh milk from Hokkaido, and each boasts a different appeal.
The first variety features fresh milk from Betsukai Town, offering a natural sweetness and a clean, refreshing finish. The other is crafted with rich fresh milk from Jersey cows in Obihiro City, delivering a creamy, full-bodied flavor that lingers delightfully on the palate.
I was genuinely surprised to find that, even though both were soft-serve, their flavors and textures couldn’t have been more different! Who knew that just switching the source of fresh milk could transform the entire experience? It completely changed how I see soft-serve ice cream - there’s so much more artistry and depth behind each swirl than I ever imagined.
The latest machine from Italy’s Carpigiani - dubbed the “Ferrari of the soft-serve world” - brings out the full flavor of every ingredient. By precisely adjusting the air content, it creates a delightfully soft, airy texture that lets the natural taste shine. It’s so irresistible, many people end up ordering both varieties for themselves!
- Snow (regular): 650 yen (tax included)
- Milky: 850 yen (tax included)
* The craft soft-serve flavor above is available for June only. Since the lineup changes each month, be sure to check in-store for the latest flavors.
Recommended by "Iceman" Fukudome! 5 Ice Creams You Should Try When You Come to Japan
"Iceman" Fukudome - who devours over 1,000 ice creams a year - has handpicked five of his top favorites from the current lineup at AIPAKU® TOKYO, calling them “must-tries” for anyone visiting Japan!
1. Nagasaki Castella Ice Cream (Nagasaki Prefecture)
This longtime favorite comes from New York-do, a beloved, long-established pastry shop in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. It’s a sandwich-style ice cream, nestled between two slices of soft, fluffy castella - officially certified by Nagasaki Prefecture. The castella’s signature coarse sugar crystals are left intact, adding a delightful crunch to every bite.
Both the castella and the ice cream are made using “Taiyo Eggs,” a premium brand from Nagasaki Prefecture, delivering a rich and full-bodied egg flavor.
While the classic vanilla is a must-try, the unique “loquat flavor” (pictured) is also a local favorite - Nagasaki is Japan’s largest producer of loquats, and this version even includes real fruit pulp. The combination of moist cake and refreshing ice cream creates a truly irresistible texture worth experiencing.
- Price: 400 yen (tax included)
- Flavors: 6 types (Vanilla, Matcha, Strawberry, White tama kokura, Loquat, Coffee)
2. Daioh Cafe Au Lait Ice Cream (Fukushima)
Fukushima Prefecture’s beloved local drink, “Daioh Cafe Au Lait,” is transformed into a creamy ice cream! This rich café au lait flavor blends perfectly with the smoothness of fresh milk, leaving a gentle, comforting aftertaste.
For strawberry lovers, we also recommend the "Daioh Strawberry Ore Ice Cream," offering a subtly sweet flavor that’s totally addictive.
- Price: 360 yen (tax included)
- Flavors: 2 types (Café au lait, Strawberry au lait)
3. Creamy Pure Milk Fermented Frozen Yogurt (Hokkaido)
Frozen yogurt is made into creamy ice cream in Nakashibetsu Town, Hokkaido, a region famous for its rich dairy farms.
With just a handful of simple ingredients - fresh milk from Nakashibetsu, carefully chosen Hokkaido cream, skimmed milk powder, and beet sugar - the natural sweetness and freshness of the milk shine through in every bite. The finish is clean and light, leaving a refreshing aftertaste. True to its name, “Pure Milk” ice cream lets the pure, fresh flavors take center stage.
- Price: 480 yen (tax included)
4. Shimazarame Shio Caramel (Kagoshima)
Exquisite gelato handcrafted by the gelato workshop "Castano" in Amami Oshima, Kagoshima.
Using “island salt” made from sugar cane alongside Amami’s natural sea salt, this gelato perfectly balances the deep, buttery sweetness of caramel with a bright, crisp hint of salt. Each bite offers a delightful harmony of rich sweetness and savory notes that dance on your palate.
- Price: 360 yen (tax included)
5. Peach Gelato (Yamanashi Prefecture)
A dedicated peach farmer in Yamanashi Prefecture has crafted a luxurious gelato bursting with real fruit flavor. One taste, and you’ll be wowed by its exceptional quality.
Featuring five different peach varieties, each offers a unique balance of sweetness and acidity - perfect for fruit lovers eager to explore. The crowd favorite is the “Golden Peach,” known for its rich sweetness and juicy texture.
- Price: 530 yen (tax included)
- Flavors: 5 types (Golden Peach, Natsu Otome, Kano Iwa White Peach, Kunika, Yamato)
If you want to take your treat home without eating it right away, no worries! The store sells a "cold storage bag" (600 yen), available in 3 colors. You can also grab dry ice (180 yen) separately if you prefer to bring your own cooler bag. Your ice cream will stay perfectly frozen until you’re ready to enjoy it!
The Story Behind “AIPAKU® TOKYO”
“AIPAKU® TOKYO” was born out of "Iceman" Fukudome’s deep concern for Japan’s local ice cream culture, which has been facing serious challenges in recent years.
Having tasted ice creams from all over Japan - from Hokkaido to Okinawa - and met countless long-standing shops, artisans, and small producers, Fukudome saw firsthand how many beloved local ice cream spots have been closing down. Without successors and struggling to stay profitable, these community favorites are disappearing. That’s when he felt a strong calling to protect this amazing culture and share it with future generations.
“AIPAKU® TOKYO” brings that passion to life. Here, ice creams from every region arrive carrying the unique stories and heart of their hometowns and makers. It’s a place where customers can not only enjoy incredible flavors but also connect with the spirit of Japan’s diverse local communities.
Brimming with the charm of Japan’s diverse regions, the ice cream at “AIPAKU® TOKYO” offers more than just a taste - it’s an invitation to experience the stories and landscapes behind each scoop. Why not pick a local ice cream that catches your eye and take home a sweet memory of your journey?
AIPAKU ® TOKYO Harajuku
- Location: 1-20-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Axia Harajuku 103C
- Access: About 3 minutes on foot from JR Harajuku Station
- Opening Hours: 11:00-19:00 *Subject to change depending on the situation
- Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays
- Official website: https://aipaku.tokyo/
Contents Source
This information is sourced by Fun Japan Communications Co., Ltd.
There may be business closures, changes to hours of operation,
or temporary suspension of the service of alcoholic beverages, etc.,
implemented without prior notice.
For details, please check the official websites or inquire with the
establishments directly.
