soft serve
Choose from seven colors of unicorn cones and customize your toppings at this limited-time shop in the Shibuya 109 department store.
We try the edibile flowers that everyone’s talking about right now, and let you know where you can get them.
The loss of the Ikea soft-serve ice cream cone left a hole in our hearts…but can we fill it with something else?
We’d had high hopes for the ice cream’s first jaunt outside of the U.S., but it’s not what we were expecting.
After looking at the brilliant gold leaf covering the World Heritage-listed temple, you can now eat it too, in a beautifully presented ice cream cone.
Japanese dessert lovers have a soft spot for soft-serve, and the popular chain is now happy to oblige them.
Temperatures are shooting up all around the archipelago and that means soft serve season has come to Japan! For some baffling reason, vanilla remains far and away the most popular flavor for Japanese, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get creative with their frozen treats too. Flavors like green tea and ume plum are easy to find (and delicious), but don’t stop there if you want to try some really out there local flavors.
Here are our choices for the 10 weirdest soft serve flavors Japan has to offer.
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Now
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Real Buddhist monk plays Super Mario Bros., recites prayers every time he kills an enemy【Video】
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Tokyo man arrested for forcibly tattooing his initials into the butt of a maid cafe employee
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Yearly
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
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Real Buddhist monk plays Super Mario Bros., recites prayers every time he kills an enemy【Video】
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Tokyo man arrested for forcibly tattooing his initials into the butt of a maid cafe employee
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Hokkaido’s Shikaribetsuko Kotan — the beautiful village of ice that melts away in the spring
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
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