Ice, Ice, Baby… The Best Ice Cream in Hiroshima

Aug 30, 2024

Ice, Ice, Baby… The Best Ice Cream in Hiroshima

With the sun beating down and the humidity at almost 100%, summer in Hiroshima is almost unbearable for those who live here. Many people find they don’t feel like eating much. With their energy levels at a low, all they can do is try to keep cool. Luckily, though, Hiroshima has plenty of places that serve a food that will not only make you shiver with excitement but is usually packed full of sugar for an instant energy boost.

Yep, I’m talking about ice cream. Let’s take a look at some of the best options available.

Polar Bear

Perhaps the most famous ice cream shop in Hiroshima — not only due to its downtown location in Aeon Mall but also for the sheer size of its ice cream — is Polar Bear. I’m talking mammoth-sized (not polar bear-sized!) ice cream, served in either a cone or a cup. A single serve is more than enough, but two flavours in a double cone is a popular choice for couples and those who want to share.

The number-one flavour is green tea. It tends to run out by early to mid-afternoon, meaning you’ll need to go early if you want to try some. Mango deserves an honourable mention, as it’s also particularly delicious.

As there is limited seating inside, you will often find large groups outside clustered around the store front, trying desperately to eat their ice cream before it melts, something that’s definitely a challenge during the hotter months! Polar Bear is a must-try at least once, but be warned: the line is often very long. Be prepared to wait.

Where: 2-1-1 Osu, Fuchu, Aki District (map link)

Open Hours: Every day, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Dolce

Spending the day seeing historic sites like the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome is a sobering experience. If you’re in need of a pickup after you’re done, head over to the Dolce branch in Sogo Department Store. It’s also a good option after a trip to Hiroshima Castle or the Prefectural Art Museum.

With its main location in Setoda, Dolce is a local gelato company. It serves a delicious range of flavours, including orange, tangerine, and lemon made from citrus fruits grown in Hiroshima. Some other top flavours to try include matcha, black sesame, and two options with salt: Setoda lemon salt and seaman’s algae salt. All the ice creams are available in a cone or cup.

Where: 6-27 Motomachi, Naka Ward (map link)
Open Hours: Every day, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Yacone Ice Cream

If trying unique flavours and combinations is your thing, stop by Yacone Ice Cream. Options include mint with cacao nib, pumpkin and coconut, citrus and rosemary, gorgonzola, and almond with tofu. The shop is housed within an old building along with several other restaurants and cafés. It’s an atmospheric place to take a break from the hot summer sun.

Where: Nantendo, 8-16 Nekoyacho, Naka Ward (map link)
Open Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday to Tuesday

There are plenty of other places to explore and find ice cream and gelato in Hiroshima — these are just three of the best. Of course, if ice cream isn’t your thing, there’s also the option of かき氷 (kakigori), or shaved ice, which comes in flavours including green tea, strawberry, and lemon. Whatever you do, just remember to keep cool this summer with lots of ice, ice cream, baby!

Wakayamans, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons