Pinecone Handmade Ice Cream Attracts 170,000 Visitors a Year—The Secret to Its Deliciousness Is Its Own Dairy Farm

▲ A generous serving of Pinecone Italian gelato.

Text & photos by Kyuu-go Akkaifu (Nine-Five Evil Wife)

Compared to regular ice cream that often contains cream, Italian gelato is typically made with fresh fruit and has fewer additives, resulting in a lighter and softer texture, which is why it’s a beloved dessert for many. In Hanamaki Town, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, there’s a popular gelato shop called Pinecone Handmade Ice Cream (松ぼっくり) that’s a must-try for visitors to Hanamaki.

▲ The Pinecone Italian gelato shop is a small two-story wooden house.

Inside this compact two-story shop, there’s always a line of people selecting flavors and buying ice cream. In addition to common flavors like chocolate, milk, and coffee, the shop also offers unique rural options such as cheese, brown rice, burdock, pumpkin, and sweet potato. A single scoop costs 270 yen, while a double scoop is 330 yen (approximately NT$88), making it more affordable than world-famous brands. With its distinctive flavors and vibrant colors, it’s hard to choose just one flavor—you’ll want to try them all.

▲ In addition to ice cream, the shop also offers other items like cakes.

A cookie cup topped with two tall peaks of ice cream looks irresistible and tastes satisfying. Compared to American-style ice cream, Italian gelato has a moister texture and a more noticeable airiness. With each bite, it melts instantly on your tongue, filling your mouth with its aroma without being overly heavy or sticky, making it easy to enjoy one scoop after another.

Taking the flavors tried by Kyuu-go Akkaifu—cheese, pumpkin, rum raisin, brown rice, and sweet potato—as examples, each one has a subtle fragrance and sweetness while highlighting the distinct taste of the ingredients. Thanks to the refreshing texture, switching between different flavors doesn’t result in overwhelming clashes or overpowering notes, making it easy on the palate.

▲ A wide variety of ice creams are made using the shop’s own fresh milk and local ingredients.

Locals revealed that the owner of Pinecone Ice Cream runs a farm near the shop, so the milk used in the gelato is freshly produced on-site. The ingredients are also sourced from local vegetables and fruits in Hanamaki, ensuring both quality and affordability. Additionally, depending on the season, the shop introduces various “limited-edition flavors” throughout the year, offering delightful surprises every visit.

▲ Beyond common popular flavors, the menu also includes rural flavors like burdock and pumpkin.

Aside from the warm weather, even during snowy winters, many visitors coming for snow festivals and skiing make a special trip here for ice cream. According to shop statistics, about 170,000 customers visit Pinecone each year, a testament to its immense popularity. On your next trip to Iwate for sightseeing or skiing, be sure to stop by Pinecone and try their delicious handmade Italian gelato—you might even get to enjoy a highly sought-after seasonal limited flavor!

Pinecone Handmade Ice Cream Shop (松ぼっくり)
Address: 70-48 Nagayama Hayasaka, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Prices: Single scoop 270 yen, double scoop 330 yen
Business hours: 10:00–18:00