Open for about 30 years, Ice Cream Bar HOKKAIDO Milk Mura has been a beloved dessert institution in Sapporo's Susukino district. Their specialty is a dessert that is truly for adults: specially made ice cream drizzled with alcoholic liqueur. This one-of-a-kind shop offers everything from sweet, light liqueurs to vintage brandies and whiskies. Let's take a look inside.

In the heart of the Susukino entertainment district, you'll find a commercial building housing izakayas and snack bars. On the sixth floor, a bright and cheerful door marks the entrance to Ice Cream Bar HOKKAIDO Milk Mura. It opens at 1 PM and operates until 11 PM. During the day, it's bustling with students and groups of young women. At night, the crowd diversifies to include older patrons and alcohol enthusiasts stopping by after a night of drinking, creating a more mature atmosphere.

The interior has a pop vibe, with colorful reds and yellows, and lamps and illuminations scattered about. It feels like an exciting, different world, completely separate from the outside. While it has the feel of a casual bar, the lively space, reminiscent of Western pop culture, offers a theme-park-like sense of entertainment no matter where you sit.

You can also enjoy your treat at the counter seats

The interior, decorated with art and lights, is full of fun. The cozy booth seats are also a great choice.

The master, Mr. Soichi Iwamura

The master, Soichi Iwamura, originally trained as a pastry chef, even studying in Paris, and ran a cake shop after returning to Japan. Alongside that, he dreamed of opening a place where people could enjoy ice cream paired with liqueurs. After several years of developing his own homemade ice cream, he opened his ice cream and liqueur dessert shop. For over 30 years since, it has been a beloved spot in Susukino.

The menu currently offers only two sets, but with a choice of liqueurs, the combinations are endless. For beginners, "Set B" is recommended. It includes ice cream with a choice of three liqueurs and coffee for 2,000 yen (tax included). "Set A," available only until 9 PM, includes ice cream and two liqueurs, plus a crepe, yogurt, quinoa, and rum-infused adzuki beans, also for 2,000 yen (tax included). I decided to order Set B this time.

Clear instructions guide you on how to best enjoy the ice cream and liqueurs

You can choose from an incredible selection of about 130 liqueurs! The lineup ranges from strong spirits like whiskey, brandy, gin, tequila, and rum to sweeter liqueurs with lower alcohol content. If you're unsure, just tell the staff your preferences—sweet or dry, alcohol strength—and they'll recommend some for you! The pride of the shop is their homemade ice cream, made with milk from a designated Hokkaido farm. It's light and refreshing, with a lower sugar content that allows the richness of the milk to shine through. A hint of citrus liqueur as a secret ingredient gives it a unique flavor you won't find anywhere else.

In addition to the three chosen liqueurs, you also get a bonus tea liqueur.

On this day, I chose a sweet blackberry liqueur, a 42-year-old Calvados (brandy), and a 30-year-old Ballantine's (whisky).

The ice cream and liqueur pairing is outstanding. Even with strong spirits, the small amount means there's no harsh alcoholic bite. Personally, I felt that the rich aroma and deep flavor of vintage brandies and whiskies complemented the ice cream even better than the sweet, light liqueurs. For liquor connoisseurs, I highly recommend the special spirits available for an extra charge. The selection varies, but it often includes high-end vintage brandies, scotches, and bourbons that would cost tens of thousands of yen per glass at a bar. It might be a good idea to order one to share with a group.

The high-end brandy, Hennessy's Richard, is available for an additional 4,000 yen.