Discovering the Electrifying Delight: Japan’s Most Unforgettable Cream Sodas
Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering adventure as we unveil a fizzy revelation that has taken Japan by storm: the most electrifying cream sodas you’ll ever taste. Picture yourself strolling down the bustling streets of Tokyo, with a vibrant neon sign catching your eye. Intrigued and curious, you step into a quaint café, unaware that a sensational experience awaits. From the very first sip, this unique concoction electrifies your taste buds, leaving you spellbound and craving more. Join us on this tantalizing journey as we dive into the mesmerizing world of Japan’s cream soda revolution, where innovation, tradition, and sheer delight collide. Buckle up and get ready to be swept away by the irresistible charm of this extraordinary beverage!
It’s safe to say that most long-standing, older cafés in Japan serve cream soda. It’s a drink that bellows with nostalgia, topped cutely with a dollop of ice cream and sparkling bright with vivid colour like some rare jewel.
It’s a rather simple drink, but the number of people intrigued by its unique appearance are evidently on the rise. And I’m one of those people! I’ve had times where if it’s available on the menu I want to order it－and further still I’ve gone out of my way to a café solely because I’ve wanted some cream soda.
Depending on the vibe and atmosphere of a café, the appearance of the cream soda will be different, which also means a different flavour. This is all part of the enjoyment of cream soda: it’s fun to compare the different tastes.
I have made a superb list of my most recommended cream sodas in Tokyo, all of which I have actually tried!
To make it easier to picture each drink I have also given a rating out of 5☆ stars for the strength of the fizziness, the sweetness of the soda, and sweetness of the ice cream. Use this as reference when picking your drink of choice. Enjoy this specially curated selection of drinks in cafés that you’re going to want to snap lots of pictures of♡
⑥THE GREAT BURGER STAND
This hamburger shop sells an American-style cream soda, topped with swirly ice cream rather than cream soda’s classic dollop. That, together with the huge glass it’s served in, is enough to get you excited before you even take a sip. The café can be found in Shibuya Stream, meaning you can stop by for a breather after shopping.
Fizziness：★★★★☆
Soda Sweetness：★★☆☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★★☆
THE GREAT BURGER STAND
Address: Shibuya Stream 1F, 3-21-3 Shibuya, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
Access: 1-minute on foot from Shibuya Station via the JR Yamanote Line
Opening Hours: 11:00 ー 23:00 (Last orders: 22:30)
Closed when Shibuya Stream is closed.
Access: Approx. 1-minute walk from Shibuya Station (JR Yamanote Line)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_great_burger/
①CAMPUS TOY cafe&bar
CAMPUS TOY is located in the Jinbocho district of Tokyo. This exciting little place has gone for an American pop vibe. They sell toys too.
The extra goodies they put in the cream soda here is influenced by the US too. The owner is a really interesting person, so much so that you end up losing track of the time as you get lost in conversation with them.
Fizziness：★★★★☆
Soda Sweetness：★★☆☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★☆☆
CAMPUS TOY cafe&bar
Address: 2-10 Kanda-Jinbocho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: [Mon-Fri] 18:00-22:00
Closed: Weekends & Public Holidays
Access: 2-minutes on foot from Jinbocho Station’s A2 Exit
TEL: 03-3261-7383
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campustoy_matz/?hl=ja
②Café Negura
This little-known-good-spot can be found in Shimokitazawa. The café interior has relaxed and retro décor. Their cream soda is served with two stacks of ice cream and a crown of whipped cream topped off with a cherry. What a cute-looking drink!
Fizziness：★★★☆☆
Soda Sweetness：★☆☆☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★★☆
▶︎ Café Negura
Address: PACKAGE ONE Floor 1F (North Side), 2-26-13 Kitazawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11:30 ー 20:00
Closed: Mondays & Tuesdays
Access:152m walk from Shimokitazawa Station
Twitter：https://twitter.com/neguracafe_mi
③Sepia
Another retro-style café, except this one is specifically influenced by the Showa period . Situated in Shibamata, everything about this café, from the outside to the interior, breathes retro-Showa. On the second floor is the Candy Candy Museum.
Their cream soda is the quintessential classic cream soda…but with a twist. It has mikan in it, a type of orange, which is very rare with cream sodas. That gives off a retro-ness too. Another cute beverage!
Fizziness：★★★☆☆
Soda Sweetness：★★☆☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★☆☆
Sepia
Address: 7-4-11 Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:30 (Last Orders 18:00
Closed: Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Access: 2-minutes on foot from Shibamata Station (Accessed via the Keisei Line)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sepiamama?igshid=1urnwdix23qbx
④ALL C’S CAFE
ALL C’S CAFE is in Koenji, the retro hub of Tokyo. Decorations of cute bears are what this café is all about. There are enormous life-sized bears everywhere, so you can get ready to snap some seriously kawaii pictures.
The café itself, as well as the adorable smiley bear on your cream soda, is sure to elicit some high-pitched “Aww’s.”
Fizziness：★★★☆☆
Soda Sweetness：★★☆☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★★☆
▶︎ALL C’S CAFE
Address: Miyake Bldg. 2F, 3-25-24 Koenji, Suginami Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 12:00-22:00
Closed: No Fixed Holidays (except Obon and New Year’s Holidays)
Access: 5-minutes on foot from the north exit of Koenji Station (Accessed via the JR Chuo Line)
Website: http://www.allcscafe.com
⑤Café Hosekibako
Hosekibako, which means ‘jewelry box’ in Japanese, is right next to Chitose-Karasuyama Station. Retro vibes waft their way throughout this cozy little hideaway with the littering of Showa manga and other miscellaneous odds and ends.
This café too has the signature classic cream soda. It has a transparent appearance in its truly beautiful colour.
Fizziness：★★★☆☆
Soda Sweetness：★★★☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★☆☆
▶︎ Café Hosekibako
Address: Koyama Mansion 102, 4-18-18 Minamikarasuyama, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 12:00-18:30 (Last Orders 18:00)
Closed: Wednesdays
Access: 5-minutes on foot from the east exit of Chitose-Karasuyama Station (Accessed via the Keio Line)
Website: https://housekibako.wixsite.com/2009
⑦Coffee Shop Galant
Right beside Ueno Station you’ll find Galant, a coffee shop also with an air of retro-Showa to it during the bubble economy period. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time when you see the dazzling décor and the staff uniforms. Peeking through the see-through liquid is a cute red cherry♡
Fizziness：★★★★☆
Soda Sweetness：★★☆☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★☆☆
▶︎ Coffee Shop Galant
Address: 6-14-4 Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 8:00-23:00
No Fixed Holidays
Access: Directly behind the toy store Yamashiroya (山城屋), just a two minute walk from JR Ueno Station. Also 1-minute on foot from exit 5b of Ueno Station (accessed via the Tokyo Metro Line and Hibiya Line)
Tabelog: https://www.google.co.jp/amp/s/s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13039759/top_amp/
blikje button
⑫blikje button
blikje button in Shimokitazawa, which offers both a café and dining experience, has a vintage vibe to it with decorations that have a handcrafted feel to them. The glasses the cream sodas come in match that aesthetic. The stroking colours of the sodas are something beautiful to behold!
Fizziness：★★★★☆
Soda Sweetness：★★☆☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★☆☆
blikje button
Address: Shimokitazawa Central Bldg. 2F, 2-14-7 Kitazawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 12:00-23:00 (Lunch 12:00-16:00/Café 12:00-18:00/Dinner 17:00-23:00) *Food last orders 22:00, drink last orders 22:30
No Fixed Holidays
Access: 2-minutes on foot from Shimokita Station via the Odakyu Line / 2-minutes on foot from the south-west exit of Shimokitazawa Station via the Keio Inokashira Line
Website: http://www.blikje-button.com/
CAROLINE DINER
CAROLINE DINER is a famous café in Harajuku inspired by American diners. The cream sodas sold here are striking and nothing short of Instagram-worthy! They go perfectly with the stylish interior of the café that you’ll no doubt find yourself taking photos.
Fizziness：★★★☆☆
Soda Sweetness：★★★☆☆
Ice Cream Sweetness：★★★☆☆
CAROLINE
Address: 2-14-11 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 12:00-18:30 (Last Orders 18:00)
Closed: Thursdays
Access: 10-minutes on foot from Meiji-Jingumae Station / 10-minutes on foot from Kita-Sando Station / 10-minutes on foot from Setagaya Station
Website: http://caroline1.theshop.jp/
And that’s all from me and my must-try recommendations for Tokyo cream soda. Do you have a favourite from this list?
Tokyo’s summer is nowhere near over yet. How about treating to yourself to a nice refreshing cream soda to cool yourself down from the scorching heat?
Source Moshi Moshi Nipon
THE GREAT BURGER STAND
CAMPUS TOY cafe&bar
Café Negura
Sepia
ALL C’S CAFE
Café Hosekibako
Coffee Shop Galant
blikje button
CAROLINE DINER
