Two new gelato flavors have been added to "Koga Craft Ice &," a local ice cream brand based in Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The second installment of this project went on sale on April 27, 2026, and features a collaboration with Yamazaki Biscuit Co., Ltd. (YBC) — a company whose only domestic production facility is located in Koga City.
What Is "Koga Craft Ice &"?
"Koga Craft Ice &" is a project that connects ("&") makers and carefully selected local ingredients in Koga City to create new value. Following the first installment developed in partnership with HARIO Co., Ltd., the second round brings in YBC — a company emblematic of Koga as a city of craftsmanship and manufacturing.
Two New Flavors: Crafted Around Texture and Balance
Gelato specialist Kiyoshi Negishi supervised the development of both new flavors, working to bring out the best qualities of each snack while keeping the natural, fresh flavor of the milk base at the forefront.
1. Noir (YBC Collaboration)
This flavor features "Noir," a cocoa biscuit made with a generous amount of black cocoa powder and cacao mass, resulting in a deep, rich flavor. For the gelato, the biscuits are crushed into two sizes — coarser chunks and finer pieces — and combined to create a texture that blooms with each bite, offering both crunch and aroma in every spoonful.
2. Lemon Pack (YBC Collaboration)
This flavor draws on "Lemon Pack," a long-selling product marking its 50th anniversary in 2023. Known for the combination of lightly salted crackers and a bright, tangy lemon cream filling, the snack translates beautifully into gelato form — the cracker's toasted, delicate crunch harmonizing with the sweetness of the milk base for a refreshing, bittersweet balance.
Words from the Development Team
Supervisor Kiyoshi Negishi:
"The most important thing I focused on was preserving the natural deliciousness of the milk base while drawing out the full charm of the featured snacks. I worked hard to express the crunch and toasted aroma of baked snacks within the gelato. I deliberately used two sizes of crushed pieces — fine particles that melt into the base to deliver flavor from the very first bite, and larger chunks that suddenly burst with texture and fragrance mid-bite, creating an element of pleasant surprise. Finding just the right 'sweet spot' for each — the amount, the size of the crush — required repeated trial and error, but I'm very pleased with where we landed."
YBC Comment:
"The Koga plant has been an indispensable production base for over 50 years, delivering our products to customers all across Japan. We were genuinely excited when we first tasted the finished gelato — seeing our familiar biscuits and crackers combined with milk to create an entirely new kind of deliciousness was a wonderful surprise. We hope many people will enjoy this new experience, whether as a treat for themselves or as a gift for someone special."
Enjoying It Even More: "Toppings with the Snack"
Beyond eating it straight from the cup, one recommended way to enjoy the gelato is to add extra Noir or Lemon Pack biscuits on the side.
- Idea 1: Scoop the gelato with a Noir or Lemon Pack biscuit to enjoy the fresh-from-the-pack crunch.
- Idea 2: Crush Noir or Lemon Pack over the top of the gelato for an extra-rich, indulgent experience.
Sales Information
Release date: April 27, 2026
Where to buy: Tourism facilities within Koga City, or the official online shop
Koga Craft Ice & Brand Site: https://koga-kousya.com/ice/
Official Online Shop: https://shop.hariocorp.co.jp/pages/koga-craft-ice
The new flavors are also planned to be listed as a Koga City furusato nozei (hometown tax) return gift.
