TONPUKU (Kamikatsu town): A moment of relaxation is yours to enjoy thanks to the bounty and fruits of the mountains.

The shop's name comes from the Japanese term "tonpukuyaku," which refers to medication taken as needed, such as for a cold. It embodies the hope that eating gelato will restore your energy and help you power through the next day. The owner is Mio Ishikawa, a mandarin orange farmer. After a day of work on the farm, she would relax with her favorite gelato, which inspired her to open the shop. The recommended flavors are the fruit-based ones, crafted with a farmer's unique perspective. They capture not just the fruit's inherent sweetness but also its freshness, tartness, and subtle bitterness. This creates a delicate taste that is deeply satisfying and comforting.

Summer Recommendations
From left: Yamaguchi Prefecture's Fukuga Watermelon, known as the "phantom watermelon" due to its rarity, and the vibrant, refreshing Sansho Pepper Jasmine. On the right is a combination of green yuzu, with its eye-opening tartness and fragrance, and cacao nibs, which have a subtly sweet flavor created by simmering magnolia bark in milk and adding cacao nibs. Discovering lesser-known ingredients like sanshō pepper and magnolia bark also piques one's curiosity.

LATTE (Itano Town) : A gelato shop directly operated by a farm that boasts freshly squeezed raw milk

Itano Town's Inoue Farm, commonly known as Inoue Milk, has been operating for over half a century across two generations. It runs Tokushima Prefecture's first farm-direct gelato workshop. The dairy farm is just a three-minute walk from the shop, where you can watch the cows graze at their leisure. Owner Kaori Inoue opened the shop to bring people closer to cows and dairy farming. Nearly all of the flavors use a milk base made with freshly squeezed raw milk, and the combinations featuring Itano-grown carrots and peaches are exceptional.

The signature Rich Milk from the Farm (right) offers a rich milk flavor with a refreshing aftertaste that will leave you wanting more. August's recommended Blueberry features generous amounts of Itano-grown blueberries that release a refreshing blueberry aroma. Also, note the cute cup with a cow design.

Patisserie Mizuho (Yoshinogawa City): At first sight, the gorgeous gelato at this cake shop will captivate you.

Established in 1999, the beloved local cake shop Confectionery Workshop Mizuho launched its gelato division in 2022. "We want to deliver gelato unique to a cake shop," they say, focusing on vibrant presentations adorned with fresh fruit and edible flowers. They take pride in their rich flavors, which come from carefully selected ingredients like domestic lychees, locally grown figs and peaches, and Shine Muscat grapes. They offer twenty flavors in their takeout cups, including Tokushima-distinct options like Awa Suzuka, Sudachi, and Awa Wasanbon.

A must-try at our store is the Peach and Pistachio Parfait, which features our popular peach and pistachio gelato. The nutty sweetness of Italian pistachios pairs perfectly with the fresh aroma of peach. Beneath that lies an astonishingly rich custard cream made with Hokkaido 4.0 milk. The balanced blend of flavors will enchant you with every bite.

Nalu Ge (Naruto City) : Experience Naruto with unique, locally produced gelato

At Nalu Ge, you can sense owner Hiroto Ito's thoughtful approach. He wants to surprise and delight people with his gelato. Take a look inside the showcase, and you'll find flavors rarely seen at gelato shops: 22nd Century Banana, Sake Lees, and White Miso. Most ingredients are sourced locally in Naruto. The "Nalu" in "Nalu Ge" means "wave" in Hawaiian. This gelato from the seaside town of Naruto is creating new waves and delivering the charm of Tokushima and Naruto. The shop is filled with Tokushima character, from the indigo-dyed noren curtains to the Oya-yaki ceramic cups, and it features tatami seating for a relaxing experience.

The classic Naruto Wakame (right) strikes the perfect balance between milky richness and saltiness, thanks to meticulous attention to detail, such as the size of the wakame and how well it's rehydrated. The Naruto Sudachi generously uses sudachi citrus, which is rare even within the prefecture and is grown in greenhouses in Naruto. A hint of yuzu vinegar adds an addictive mellow acidity.