A popular chain of ice cream parlours from America, Cold Stone Creamery shut most of its outlets in Japan during the pandemic. However, it has now made a comeback in Tokyo with a new flagship store in Harajuku.
In addition to its usual offering of classic ice cream flavours and customisable mix-ins, Cold Stone Creamery Tokyo has an exclusive menu inspired by Japanese flavours. The two Tokyo-only items are roasted sweet potato ice cream with whipped cream and black sesame, and Uji matcha ice cream topped with sweet red bean paste, chestnuts, agar jelly and shiratama mochi (rice flour dumplings).
As it’s Harajuku, Tokyo’s unofficial crepe centre, this Cold Stone Creamery also serves up a special crêpe menu limited to Tokyo. There’s a decadent crêpe filled with brûléed roasted sweet potato and custard as well as a matcha version with warabi mochi, azuki beans and shiratama mochi (rice flour dumplings).