Tokyo's best gelato

The summer heat is still a few months away, but as you can never prepare too early, we took advantage of the recent warm weather and went on a city-wide hunt for gelato, the perfect dessert for a sweaty day in Tokyo. Fresh, light and fruity, this Italian delicacy won't ruin your wasteline while satisfying even the most rabid of sweets fiends. Take your pick from our top 10 and get licking.

Dohkan

Head to Higashi-Nakano for an excellent range of light and fresh gelato, and at reasonable prices to boot (¥300 for a double cone). Their most popular flavour is the 'sakura-shio milk' variety, a creation that smells like spring flowers and comes with a nice, slightly salty kick.
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Sincerita

As the name implies, the gelato at this Asagaya shop is simple, honest and delicious. Made with fresh, seasonal fruit, the selection undergoes changes throughout the year but tends to maintain the same high quality. The peach flavour is a particular highlight.
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Premium Mario Gelateria

The flagship location of this Kanto-wide chain stocks classics like the 'Tahiti vanilla', made with actual vanilla beans from that island, and 'Guanaja chocolate' – luxury is the key. Located in the basement of Shinjuku's Isetan, this is the place to visit when you feel like dropping from all the shopping.
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CremAmore

Combine your fresh gelato with a special cup of coffee at this Italian sweet shop located inside the Seibu department store in Shibuya. Their creations are light, low-calorie goodies that come in more than 20 different flavours, including oddities like balsamic vinegar.
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Pariya

Stocking over 20 flavours at all times, Pariya is best known for its seasonal specials like peach in summer and chestnut in autumn. The zuccotto variety, a semi-frozen affair topped with chocolate chips and nuts, is a safe choice.
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Acquolina

Experienced sweets-hunters will have a fun time trying the olive oil-flavoured gelato at this Yutenji shop. Combine with the lemon- and basil-heavy limone basilico for double goodness.
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Gelateria la Napoli

Using traditional Neapolitan methods cultivated over the centuries, Napoli offers classic goodies like vanilla and matcha as well as seasonal specialities including grape in summer and chestnut in autumn. A three-flavour serving for ¥480 is excellent value, too.
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Gelateria Marghera

The Tokyo incarnation of Milan's famed Gelateria Marghera serves 36 different flavours of ice cream, including some Japan-only varieties, plus signature desserts such as the dopocena, made with gelato and semifreddo. The almond-caramel crocante is our favourite.
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Théobroma

The Kagurazaka branch of this upscale sweets shop specialises in gelato, and as expected, their exquisite chocolate flavours are the main draw. Sit down in the café area with a cone of fruity 'Spiral', mixed right there on the spot.
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