Nicolita (ニコリータ), a gelato specialty shop in Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, near Center Kita Station, is celebrating its first anniversary on March 28, 2026. The shop focuses on locally sourced ingredients, incorporating seasonal vegetables and fruits from the Yokohama area into a weekly-rotating gelato lineup.
A Weekend Gelato Shop Run by an IT Professional
The shop is operated by an owner who works in IT on weekdays and runs the store primarily on weekends. The owner holds the city-certified title of "Hama Food Concierge"—a designation given by the City of Yokohama to private citizens who promote the appeal of local agricultural products—and the shop itself is registered as a "Yokohama Local-Ingredient Support Store," a certification for establishments that actively use Yokohama-grown produce.
Inspired by years of living and raising a family in the Kohoku New Town area, the owner opened the shop as a way to connect local agricultural products and community ties with everyday life.
Approximately 150 Flavors Developed in the First Year
Rather than sticking to a fixed menu, Nicolita releases new flavors almost every week in response to seasonal availability and incoming ingredients. Since opening in 2025, the shop has developed approximately 150 flavors.
In addition to fruit-based gelatos, the shop also offers savory-style gelatos made from local vegetables. One signature example is "Komachee" (コマチー)—a flavor combining komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) with cheese, enhanced by the grassiness of the greens and the richness of the cheese. The shop suggests adding pepper or shichimi (seven-spice blend) for additional flavor variation.
The shop also uses non-standard produce—items that don't make it to regular distribution due to size or shape irregularities—as a way of giving those ingredients a second life.
A rare seasonal offering was a corn gelato made from varieties harvested in autumn and winter in the Yokohama area, which repeatedly sold out.
During the current spring season, flavors available include a sorbet made with fully ripened strawberries from a local farm in Nakamachi-dai, and a rare cheesecake gelato featuring Shonan Gold citrus harvested from a nearby orchard.
Dog-Friendly Store
Nicolita also welcomes dogs inside, making it a convenient stop for nearby residents and dog owners on their daily walks. Dogs must be carried or brought in a cart, with one pet permitted per customer. During summer, the shop also sells original gelato made for dogs.
Owner's Comment
"Kohoku New Town is a town I have lived in for a long time, where I gave birth and raised my children. I feel there are still many unknown charms in the local vegetables and fruits here. I have continued with the hope of sharing those charms through gelato while also creating a place in the community where people can casually stop by. Going forward, I want the shop to remain a place where visitors can encounter flavors and seasonal characteristics unique to this area."
First Anniversary Highlights
To mark the occasion, Nicolita is introducing a three-flavor set as a regular menu item—with a special price for the additional scoop during the anniversary period. The shop also plans to launch a large-capacity "Big Cup" containing roughly five times the standard serving size, and will offer an original insulated bag at a special price when purchased together with gelato.
Shop Information
Shop Name: Nicolita (ニコリータ)
Address: 7-2-3-102 Nakagawa, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Access: Approximately 6 minutes on foot from Center Kita Station (near the "Otsuka" intersection)
Business Days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (scheduled to change to Friday, Saturday, Sunday from April onward)
Hours: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolita_gelato
