When travelling in Japan- Tokyo, I have discover Nakano Broadway is a shopping center located in Tokyo, Japan that has been christened a "nerd paradise". It is a hub for otaku culture, where fans of anime, manga, video games, and all things geeky come together to celebrate their interests. One of the most interesting and unique attractions in Nakano Broadway is the gigantic 8 flavor ice cream Daily Chico.
The 8 flavor ice cream is exactly what it sounds like: a massive scoop of ice cream that combines eight distinct flavors. It's not just big in size, but also in flavor. Each scoop is approximately the size of your head, and is made up of eight different colored "stripes" representing the eight different flavors.
So, what are the flavors? That's a great question! The specific flavors change from time to time, but some past options have included matcha, chocolate, cookies and cream, raspberry, blueberry, caramel, strawberry, and vanilla. Each flavor is clearly defined, so you can taste each one individually or let them all mix together for an explosion of flavor in your mouth.
The 8 flavor ice cream is served at a small ice cream booth in the heart of Nakano Broadway. It's located on the second floor, near a staircase, so it can be easy to miss. But once you find it, you'll be treated to an ice cream experience unlike any other.
Despite its size, the 8 flavor ice cream is surprisingly affordable. It costs around 485 yen (about $4 USD). While that might sound like a lot for an ice cream cone, remember that it's a massive scoop of ice cream that can easily be shared between two or three people. You're basically getting eight scoops of ice cream for the price of one!
The booth where the 8 flavor ice cream is sold is also worth a visit in and of itself. It's decorated in a fun and whimsical style that perfectly fits the nerdy vibe of Nakano Broadway. The walls are covered in pop culture posters and figurines, and there are cute plush toys and other trinkets for sale.
One thing to keep in mind if you decide to try the 8 flavor ice cream is that it can be quite messy. The ice cream is so big that it can be hard to eat without getting some on your face or clothes. But that's all part of the fun, right? Just be sure to have some napkins or wet wipes on hand.