Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2010

To celebrate the first anniversary of its La Maison Ginza shop (5-17-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku; www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/maison), Häagen-Dazs has created a variety of sumptuous ice cream treats. The mango, cream and pineapple mille-feuille (¥1,350; pictured) combines mango sorbet and vanilla ice cream with pineapple chips, gold leaf and caramel sauce, accompanied by brown sugar-marinated pineapple. The classic ice cream “gelée soup” (¥1,200) features coconut meringue, kiwi mousse and passion fruit. Also new is an anniversary cocktail dubbed the Nirvana Supreme Bliss (¥500), a vivid red concoction made with gin, limoncello, raspberry sorbet and blood orange juice. Billed as Japan’s largest ice cream parlor, Le Maison Ginza is a six-story emporium that serves gourmet sweets not available at other Häagen-Dazs outlets, plus a selection of light meals like salads, focaccia and cheese plates.