Even royalty can get a sweet tooth from time to time, and in the blistering heat of a Japanese summer, what could be a better way to satisfy the urge for sweets than a big bowl of ice cream? Of course, when dealing with the imperial family, not just any old brand of ice cream will suffice. That’s why in 1968 a special recipe for handmade ice cream was developed for their royal highnesses, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. It’s called Snow Royal and can still be purchased from Snowbrand-Parlor (雪印パーラー) in Hokkaido..
Hokkaido Prefecture is a large region in northern Japan that’s known for its high-quality milk and cream products, so of course they’d be the ones to call when commissioning the perfect ice cream. What’s special about the Snow Royal brand is that it doesn’t contain any eggs, giving the ice cream a distinctly light and fluffy texture that’s evident from the moment one’s spoon first touches the dessert’s surface and slides right in without effort. It’s almost like eating whipped cream.
Thanks to the absence of egg, Snow Royal ice cream has a rich but mellow flavor that comes solely from the density of the milk and percentage of fat in the cream. It leaves a very refreshing sort of aftertaste.
Snowbrand-Parlor explains the history and development of the ice cream on their site. “In 1968 this vanilla ice cream was developed expecially for the emperor and empress of Japan. Half a year was spent testing different recipes in order to surpass the quality of the ice cream prepared by the Imperial Household Agency. The result was a perfect and wholly unique ice cream blend containing 16 percent butterfat.”
Snow Royal ice cream can be purchased in any of Hokkaido’s Snowbrand-Parlor restaurants, whether the main building in Sapporo or one of the many branches scattered throughout the prefecture. It can also be mail ordered from their shop on Rakuten. If you ever have the opportunity to try it, we really recommend that you have a taste. You’ll be eating like a king.
Reference: Snowbrand-Parlor Snow Royal ice cream
Photos: RocketNews24
▼ Take a look at that silky-smooth texture.
▼ Is your mouth watering yet?
▼ The spoon just slides right in.
▼ Say “Ahhh.”
[ Read in Japanese ]
Japanese Emperor rides by on Imperial Train, makes schoolgirls scream like he’s a boy band idol
Japan’s combination laundromats/ice cream parlors are the combo we never knew we needed, until now
And now, a video of the voice of Dragon Ball’s Goku meeting the Emperor and Empress of Japan
We try Tokyo restaurant’s crab ice cream that tastes more like crab than cream【Taste test】
We try some Turkish ice cream from Family Mart before it’s completely sold out
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
We get lucky with a Wagyu beef gacha vending machine at 3,000 yen a pop
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】We celebrate the New Year with a bag full of Godiva chocolates
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Tokyo has a brand new Harry Potter shop with its own butterbeer bar – Let’s see what’s inside【Pics】
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
A Candy Store Variety ‘Cream of Corn Soup’ Flavored Ice Cream Bar Fit for a Fancy Restaurant
Japan’s largest indie ice cream convention returns to Tokyo this Golden Week
The top 5 ice creams you should try at Family Mart convenience stores in Japan this summer
Tokyo TV station skips ugly controversy over Princess Mako’s marriage, shows Blade instead
This ice cream’s special Okinawan ingredient will do more to keep away the heat
We try ice cream with a topping of natto fermented soybeans, because the Internet told us to
Potato ice cream from Family Mart takes ice cream to a whole other level【Taste Test】
We head to Okayama Prefecture to try the second most delicious soft serve ice cream in the world
We chow down on new cheesecake ice cream bar made with real cream cheese
The hottest thing in Korea now is freezing cold ice cream made by “scientists”
Japanese monaka ice cream looks very different in Hokkaido
Pokémon ice cream cakes and Pikachu-flavor ice cream on the menu at Baskin-Robbins Japan!
The ultimate guide to Kyoto ice-cream
We try Japan’s new French toast ice cream
10 awesome ice cream and popsicle brands to try when you’re in Japan
Our Japanese reporter tries Yukimi Daifuku mochi ice cream for the first time (probably)