On a hot day, Cold Store really hits the spot. It's almost exactly like the ones in the U.S. (which I love). You can mix in your own toppings, and the ice cream is good. Best of all I think are the cones. But, again, this chain is just like the one in the U.S. If you go, at least get something Japanese, like the matcha flavored ice cream. That, paired with Oreo bits, is fabulous.
Just like the one in America, except the portions are smaller, which may not be a bad thing. They have all the standard flavors and ^creations^, with the addition of matcha ice cream and and matcha powder. I don~t really see the point, because its so expensive and nothing specifically Japanese or especially delicious. They do make their waffle cones fresh right in front of you. But even so, why bother
I have known of the existence of Coldstone since they opened but I was damned if I was going to line up for it. I don't do queues. Well I recently made a little exception at their Shibuya branch, which is located in Mark City in the arcade leading up to Dogenzaka, as it was such a hot day. After standing in line for 15 minutes or so you can watch the shop girls and boys mash up your ice cream on a frozen teppan as they sing merrily and smile a lot. I ordered a minty creation made of creamy mint ice cream, chewy brownie and crunchy chocolate chips served in a fresh waffle cone. Yum! Was it worth 15 minutes and 540 yen (I ordered just about the cheapest - you could go well over 1,000 yen if you want to pig out)? Hmm, I could write a whole entry on my thoughts about the rationality or otherwise of queueing just to have the latest brand experience but at least you can say you've tried it. http://tokyoeater.blogspot.com