If you’ve ever been to Hokkaido—or even just had it on your travel wishlist—you’ve probably heard people go on and on about the food, especially the ice cream. Honestly, I used to wonder what the big deal was. But after trying it myself? I totally get it now.

The dairy in Hokkaido is next level. Their cows are living the dream—grazing on open green fields, stress-free—which makes their milk unbelievably rich and creamy. And the ice cream? Oh my gosh, it’s so smooth and perfectly sweet. What really makes it stand out isn’t just the flavour (though that’s amazing too)—it’s the quality of the milk. You can actually taste the difference in every bite.

One of the things I loved most was all the fun flavours you could try. I’m talking everything from your usual vanilla and chocolate to more local picks like red bean, matcha, melon, and even lavender! And yep—I said yes to pretty much whatever we came across. No regrets. Zero.

And honestly, with all the walking you do—whether it’s in Sapporo or just wandering through cute little towns—ice cream kind of becomes its own food group. It’s the perfect excuse to stop, cool down, and treat yourself. Let’s just say I had more than one scoop… and I didn’t feel bad about it at all. I mean, when in Hokkaido, right?

My kids couldn’t get enough – every day, they looked forward to trying another flavour. That creamy texture, the deep, rich taste… honestly, stopping at one was the real challenge.

There were days I had more than one cone, and I have no regrets. It’s one of those simple, joyful pleasures that stays with you. If you ever find yourself in Hokkaido, don’t just stroll past those ice cream stands. Pause. Grab a cone. Let yourself savour it slowly. You won’t regret it – I promise.