伊豆一の蔵 — Local services in Ito

If you’re anywhere near Izu Kogen, 伊豆一の蔵 (@izuichinokura on Instagram) is an absolute must-visit. With the best ice cream I’ve had in Japan—perhaps anywhere—and an elegant shop full of beautifully crafted sweets, this local gem delivers quality, subtlety, and depth of flavor in a way few chain establishments can match. 5/5

Full Review:

There are moments in travel when something simple—a scoop of ice cream, a small shop—transforms into a memory you want to hold onto. 伊豆一の蔵 (Izu Ichinokura) is one of those rare places. Nestled near the charming Izu Kogen area, this local confectionery shop is not only worth a detour—it’s worth building your entire afternoon around.

Let’s start with the headline: this was the best ice cream I’ve had. Anywhere. Bar none.

Yes, I’ve had great ice cream before. The Baskin Robbins in Izu Kogen, with its playful One Piece collaboration, was fun and of great quality. The Ministop soft cream, served in a delightfully crisp cone with an edible spoon, hit that perfect konbini comfort note while also exceeding expectations. But 伊豆一の蔵? It’s in another league entirely.

For just 480 yen, I selected a generous three-scoop cone, choosing milk, salted caramel, and summer orange. Each flavor was a revelation. The milk was ultra-creamy and delicately sweet, the kind of dairy richness that lingers beautifully on the palate without ever overwhelming it. The salted caramel struck a remarkable balance—decadent but restrained, with a touch of salt that brought out the buttery notes. And the summer orange? Bursting with citrusy brightness, like a palate-cleansing sorbet kissed by sunlight.

My companion ordered milk, chocolate, and sakura, and the verdict was unanimous: not one miss in the lineup. The chocolate was deep, velvety, and honest—no artificial bitterness, just clean cocoa flavor. The sakura was floral and ephemeral, a true celebration of Japanese seasonal delicacy.

What makes this experience special isn’t just the taste—it’s the subtlety and craftsmanship. These weren’t overly sweetened or mass-produced. Every scoop tasted thoughtfully made, with flavors that develop and bloom rather than bludgeon your palate. It’s rare to find ice cream this nuanced.

And that’s just the ice cream. The interior of the shop is a treasure trove of local confectionery—beautifully packaged traditional sweets, from yokan and daifuku to cookies and gift boxes that would make for perfect omiyage. I didn’t have the time to dive into them this visit, but you can be sure I will next time. Because yes, I’m absolutely coming back.

So if you’re in the Izu Kogen area—whether for a scenic stroll, an onsen visit, or a hike—make time for Izu Ichinokura. There’s care here. Passion. And a flavor experience that speaks volumes without ever shouting.

Final Score: 5/5 – An unforgettable, elegant expression of Japanese dessert artistry. Add it to your itinerary. Then make room...

My favorite place where I recommend if someone ask for their souvenirs. Their Japanese sweets are so good. The homemade ice cream is really delicious too! I recommend the milk ice cream with chestnut and red bean...

昨年、ふらっと立ち寄った和菓子屋さん。 とてもおしゃれで「和フィナンシェ」と言う和のスイーツ。「銀色の森」はアーモンドクッキーにホワイトチョコがサンドしてあって、私好み。「蔵どら」と言う名のどら焼きは皮はしっとりしており、中の粒餡は優しい甘味です。 一推しは「蔵搾りモンブラン」アイスの上に粒餡が乗っており、更にその上にその場で搾ったモンブラン。剥いだ栗を蒸して潰したような味で、とても繊細な味です。今回もこれ目的で来店しました。 季節の味で「桜モンブラン」もありました。白餡に桜の葉が入っており、桜の香りと味がこの時期にマッチしてました。 ジェラートアイスもあり、他のお客さんが購入してましたが、かなり大盛りでクオリティーは高め、値段はリーズナブルで驚きました。確か300円もしなかったと思います。 その他にも生チョコや乾麺（うどん）、焼き海苔等販売しております。 お店にフードスペースもあり、座って食べる事も出来ます。 駐車場はとても広く満車で停められない…と言うのはなさそうです。 お土産はもちろんの事、物によっては日にちが保つ商品もあるので、お取り寄せでご挨拶やお礼の品として差し上げても喜ばれると思います。 （但し、最中は製造元が京都… んー伊豆で作った最中だと思って購入したのに残念… ...