Ice Cream Day

What Is Ice Cream Day?

Every year on May 9th is "Ice Cream Day." In 1964, the Tokyo Ice Cream Association (now the Japan Ice Cream Association) donated ice cream to facilities and hospitals in Tokyo and held commemorative events on this day, just after the spring holidays mark the start of ice cream season. May 9th also corresponds to the day Japan's first ice cream, "aisukurin," was manufactured and sold in Yokohama. Today, the day is marked nationwide with free samples and events -- a day to share sweet, cold happiness.

The Taste of "Civilization and Enlightenment": Historical Facts

Ice cream arrived in Japan alongside the modernization of the Meiji era as an "amazing food."

• The birth of "aisukurin": On May 9, 1869, Machida Fusazo opened an "ice water shop" on Bashamichi in Yokohama and sold Japan's first ice cream. Made from eggs, milk, and sugar and called "aisukurin," it was an extreme luxury -- a single serving cost the equivalent of about 8,000 yen today, roughly the price of two sho of rice.
• The Man'en Embassy to America: The first Japanese people to taste ice cream are said to have been members of a delegation that visited the United States in 1860. According to their diaries, they were so struck by its coldness and deliciousness that they described it as "a strange thing that disappears in your mouth" -- an encounter with a completely unfamiliar food culture.

The Science of How Coldness and Sweetness Affect the Brain

When we eat ice cream, a sophisticated reward system activates in our brains.

• The brain's "reward" switch: The precise balance of sugar and fat in ice cream strongly stimulates the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and creating a sense of bliss. The cold sensation also lowers the temperature inside the mouth and signals the central nervous system, producing a refreshing feeling that instantly eases stress.
• A reasonably balanced nutritional profile: Ice cream contains calcium, protein, and vitamins A and B2. Versions with a higher milk solids content are easily digestible energy sources, and were historically used to help people recover after illness.

Interesting Facts About Ice Cream

• Four official categories: Under Japanese regulations, products are strictly classified into "ice cream," "ice milk," "lacto ice," and "ice confection" based on milk solids and milk fat content. You can check the back of the package to see exactly how rich a product is.
• Why ice cream has no expiration date: Because it's stored below -18°C, bacteria can't grow and quality stays extremely stable, so manufacturers are permitted to omit a "best by" date.
• The countries that eat the most: New Zealand and the United States consistently top the list. New Zealanders in particular consume over 20 liters per person per year, treating ice cream as essential to their everyday "mental health."
• The "brain freeze" phenomenon: Officially called "ice cream headache," this happens when eating something cold too quickly causes the brain to misinterpret the cold as pain, or causes blood vessels to rapidly expand.
• Vanilla flowers bloom for just one day: The classic vanilla flavor comes from the vanilla bean, an orchid whose flowers bloom for only a few hours, once a year -- making pollination extremely difficult and the resulting bean a precious gift from nature.

Tips for Spending Ice Cream Day

• To mark "May 9th, Ice Cream Day," treat yourself to your favorite flavor or a new release you've had your eye on. Enjoy a cold bite in the early-summer breeze as a sweet reward for getting through the busy start of the fiscal year.
• Try a "taste comparison" of different ice creams. From rich, high-fat options to refreshing fruit-based ones, explore which "temperature and sweetness" best matches how you're feeling -- a fun, almost scientific way to boost your own mood.
• Share ice cream with someone you care about. Ice cream is a food that symbolizes "the joy of sharing." Gathering with family or friends around a cold dessert and enjoying positive conversation can help strengthen your connections.
• Watch out for "brain freeze" and eat slowly. Take your time letting each bite melt in your mouth -- a kind of mindful eating that focuses on the pleasure of the present moment for a mental refresh.

A Sweet Magic That Melts Softly in Your Mouth Will Wash Away Your Fatigue and Color Tomorrow with Hope

May 9th is a day when both adults and children can smile over a single cold bite. Just as ice cream slowly melts away, let go of any tension or pressure that's built up inside you today, sweetly. Sometimes in life, this kind of "treat" is exactly what you need. The cold sensation and rich sweetness reset your brain and sharpen your senses once again. In this season of fresh greenery, be as gentle with yourself as soft ice cream. That moment of happiness will be the "cooling pack" for your heart as you head into the hot season ahead.