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One of the joys of roadside stations is the original soft serve ice cream made with local ingredients, but recently there has been an increase in roadside stations offering fashionable Italian gelato.
There are an increasing number of roadside stations in Iwate where you can enjoy both soft serve and gelato, and in this article we will introduce the gelato at two roadside stations that we particularly recommend.
What is gelato? What is the difference between soft serve ice cream and ice cream?
Authentic Florentine gelato. Source: Wikipedia (Public Domain)
Soft serve ice cream, ice cream, and gelato are all sweets that originated in Florence, Italy, and are made by freezing a mixture of milk and sugar with fruit juice, pulp, coffee, chocolate, herbs, etc.
Each type has a different texture and taste depending on the temperature, air content, and milk fat content, and are therefore distinguished as different types.
What is the relationship between gelato temperature, air content, and milk fat?
Gelato in Rome, Italy. Source: Wikipedia (File name: Italian ice cream.jpg, Photographer: Alessio Damato)
The optimum temperatures for handing over ice cream are -18°C or below, soft serve ice cream -5 to 7°C, and gelato -12 to 15°C.
The amount of air contained is called "overrun," and a low amount will result in a heavy, milky taste, while a high amount will result in a light, fluffy taste.
Overrun is 60-100% for hard ice cream, 30-80% for soft serve ice cream, and 20-40% for gelato.
Gelato in Milan, Italy. Source: Wikipedia (File name: Milanoice.jpg, Photographer: Tendency.ma)
However, milk fat content differs from this classification, and in Japan it is divided into the following three types, along with the milk solids content.
Ice cream: Milk solids 15% or more, milk fat 8.0% or more
Ice milk: Milk solids 10% or more, milk fat 3.0% or more
Lacto ice cream: Milk solids 3.0% or more
Gelato typically contains 5% milk fat, so it is classified as ice milk under this classification.
[Roadside Station Iwaizumi] A roadside station run by a local dairy company serving super popular gelato! (Iwaizumi Town, Shimohei District: National Route 455)
Iwaizumi Roadside Station is designed like a log cabin, with the lighting tower of the Rakuten Eagles Iwaizumi Baseball Stadium visible in the background.
Located in Iwaizumi Town, about a two-hour drive from Morioka, this roadside station is sandwiched between National Route 455 and the Omoto River, and is close to Ryusen Cave, one of Japan's three largest limestone caves.
At Rakuten Eagles Stadium, Eagles' second team games are held.
Next to the station is the Rakuten Eagles Iwaizumi Stadium, named after the Pacific League professional baseball team, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, who obtained the naming rights.
A calm office
In addition, the campsite " Fureai Land Iwaizumi " on the opposite bank of the Omoto River has been transformed into " Experience Resort CYMBALS ," where you can enjoy accommodation in cottages, glamping, and the Blue Train (sleeping car express train, Nihonkai), as well as a variety of activities.
There are three "Nihonkai" trains, known as the 24 series, which ran between Osaka and Aomori, and you can stay overnight.
Iwaizumi Roadside Station and Mitakai Branch School Roadside Station are run by Iwaizumi Holdings, and you can enjoy Iwaizumi milk soft serve ice cream at Mitakai Branch School.
" ViTO " is a brand with 23 stores both in Japan and overseas that develops authentic Italian gelato using unique techniques that make the most of traditional Italian methods and ingredients.
The entrance to ViTO×IWAIZUMI at the back of Wakuwaku House
" ViTO x IWAIZUMI " uses fresh raw milk from Iwaizumi Dairy and has developed an original gelato that uses the same manufacturing process to taste local ingredients such as Iwaizumi yogurt and sea salt.
Once you have decided on the gelato you want to try by looking at the menu, you can order at the counter.
The rich, thick flavor of the gelato, made while the local raw milk is still fresh, has gained a reputation, and the brand has become so popular that it has opened stores in Morioka city and as far away as Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture.
Eat-in space inside the store
The roadside station store also has an eat-in space where you can leisurely savor gelato along with authentic espresso and original drinks.
18 flavors to choose from
There are 18 delicious-looking flavors lined up.
They offer 18 different types of gelato, mainly original flavors made with Iwate ingredients such as Iwaizumi yogurt and sea salt from nearby Tanohata.
First, you choose between a cup or a cone, and then choose double (2 types) or triple (3 types) gelato. Some premium gelatos cost an additional 50 to 100 yen.
From left: Iwaiz Milk, Blue Dragon Salt, Rum Raisin, Benihoppe Strawberry Milk
For this interview, we ordered the following four types of gelato in a double cone (530 yen) and a double cup (500 yen) (one of which is a premium option, costing an additional 100 yen).
Iwais Milk : A masterpiece with a rich milky taste and flavor and a smooth texture, making it the shop's staple gelato.
Blue Dragon Salt : The sweet, blue sauce representing Ryusendo Cave and the salty white "Noda Salt" create an exquisite combination of flavors.
Rum Raisin : Homemade rum raisins gently enveloped in rich milk gelato (no alcohol)
Benihoppe Strawberry Milk : A slightly luxurious strawberry milk that combines the sourness and aroma of strawberries with the rich flavor of milk.
You can also enjoy ViTO x IWAIZUMI gelato in Morioka and Miyakojima
The ViTO×IWAIZUMI Morioka store at monaka has a cafe in the back left where you can relax.
" ViTO×IWAIZUMI Morioka Storemonaka , which opened in July 2024 in Sakanamachi, Morioka City , with a cafe attached to the first floor.
It is so popular that there are long lines every day when it opens, as you can now enjoy 18 types of authentic Italian gelato without having to go all the way to Iwaizumi.
The Morioka store also had the same 18 flavors as the Iwaizumi store, and when it opened there were long lines every day.
At the cafe, you can enjoy espresso brewed with the same ViTO original roasted beans as at the main store in Iwaizumi, and there is also a select shop with a collection of Iwaizumi crafts.
ViTO×IWAIZUMI Miyakojima store opened in July of this year
ViTO×IWAIZUMI sells "Scoffins," a sweet treat that combines a scone and a muffin, which has recently become a hot topic. You can enjoy them either in the eat-in area or take-out, along with the shop's signature authentic espresso and Italian soda (Iwaizumi store only).
This set of six Scoffins in an original box makes a great souvenir.
Scoffin is a unique treat that is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, enveloped in the aroma of butter. It comes in six varieties, and the set containing all six varieties is very popular.
cream cheese
blueberry
Berry Rare Cheesecake
Benihoppe strawberry milk
Orange Salt
White peach cheese
Iwaizumi Milk Bread
"Smile with Milk" Iwaizumi Milk Bread
Additionally, the roadside station " Wakuwaku House " sells Iwaizumi Milk Bread (Milk Cream & Whipped Cream) made by Shiraishi Bread in Morioka City.
Bread made with Iwaizumi milk is soft and moist
Naturally sweet milk cream and whipped cream are wrapped in soft and moist bread made with Iwaizumi milk, making this a light and delicious sweet bread that you can eat as many as you want.
Iwaizumi milk bread at Wakuwaku House
It's easy to buy at supermarkets and convenience stores around Morioka, but I feel like it tastes a little different when you buy it locally, where Iwaizumi Milk is available.
[Roadside Station Morioka Shibutani Tamitto] Rich gelato made from raw milk squeezed in Morioka city! (Shibutani, Morioka city: National Route 4)
"Tamitto" is a group of six single-story buildings built on a large site on a hill. Mount Himekami can be seen in the background to the east.
Located in Shibutami, about 20 minutes north of the center of Morioka City by car on National Route 4, this is Morioka City's first roadside station, which just opened on April 26, 2025.
Mount Iwate stands to the west, opposite Mount Himekami.
In a previous article, we introduced the soft serve ice cream from the takeout corner of Takuboku
Building D also houses "Kurumi Takumi-ten," which sells Iwate crafts such as walnut baskets, and "BON JEWEL," which sells smoothies and salads.
Dairy farming is thriving in the Shibutani and Tamayama areas of Morioka City, but there are no foods made solely from Morioka's raw milk, so milk is mixed with raw milk from other regions and labeled as "Made in Iwate Prefecture."
There are around 10 different gelato varieties to choose from, mainly local flavors, and they also offer sandwiches, potages, and original drinks.
Concerned about this situation, Tamayama Onsen Lab which produces fresh cheese and gelato within the Jutland Himekami , launched a crowdfunding campaign to create a store specializing in Morioka dairy products in conjunction with the construction of the new roadside station, and was able to open it.
From here, we will introduce the shop's wide variety of gelato and homemade fresh cheese sandwiches.
Gelato that lets you fully enjoy the flavor of Morioka milk
The showcase is a delight to look at, with gelato served in cups on round dishers.
The gelato is made only from raw milk from Morioka cows, giving it a strong milky flavor, and the flavors, which make use of Morioka ingredients, are served in cups.We tried two doubles and four different flavors.
The cup on the left is "Morioka Milk" with "Rich Tomato" on top, and the one on the right is "Tottori Rokushi" with "Hokey Pokey" on top.
Milk : The most popular gelato, featuring the rich flavor of Morioka milk
Rich Tomatoes : Agri Tamayama's tomatoes are rich with just the right amount of acidity and go well with milk.
Hokey Pokey : The exquisite combination of Onishi Bee Farm honey and milk
Totemoro Koshi : The sweet kernels of Yabukawa corn enhance the flavor of the milk.
"Morioka Milk" and "Rich Tomato" can be eaten alone or mixed together.
Two types of sandwiches filled with plenty of homemade fresh cheese
Two sandwiches on the counter
Among the takeout gourmet foods at "Tamitto," we recommend two types of sandwiches made with baguettes (French bread) called "Cascout."
The baguettes PanoPano , using whey produced when making cheese, and are moist without being too hard.
Morioka mozzarella and tochu tea ham caprese sandwich
Filled with plenty of prosciutto and fresh cheese
It is filled with plenty of our proud homemade fresh mozzarella cheese, and you can enjoy the marriage of the salty Tochuu tea pork and the sourness of the tomato.
Original Tochu Tea Sausage Sandwich
The pork sausage is juicy and pairs perfectly with the cheese.
The Tochu Tea Pork sausage is full of rich pork flavor and is very satisfying to eat, and the cheese sauce enhances the flavor of the sausage and baguette.
Roadside Station Morioka Shibumin "Tamitto" <Information>
Facility name: Roadside Station Morioka Shibutani Tamitto
Location: 80-42 Shibumin, Shibumin, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Recently, not only in Iwate Prefecture but also in other Tohoku prefectures, an increasing number of roadside stations have begun selling not only original soft serve ice cream but also original gelato, and in the future, new flavors will likely continue to appear at roadside stations in the six Tohoku prefectures.
We hope to continue visiting the area and bringing you taste reports of popular soft serve ice cream and gelato.
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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