Craving ice cream in Japan but it’s already late and most cafés are closing? Don’t worry — we’ve got just the place for you! 21時にアイス, which literally means “ice cream at 9PM,” is a fun and convenient chain of dessert shops made for late-night sweet tooths. Most locations open in the afternoon and stay open until 11PM or even midnight, depending on the area. Perfect for an after-dinner treat, a late-night date, or even a pit stop between bar hops.
This time, we stopped by the Universal City Walk location, right at the entrance of Universal Studios Japan. You’ll find it on the 4th floor of the mall, and its colorful neon entrance feels like it’s inviting you into another world — a perfect match for the surrounding theme park atmosphere.
Inside, the vibe is playful and slightly whimsical, with glowing lights and cozy corners that make it both photo-worthy and relaxing. The menu offers a variety of soft serve ice creams with unique Japanese flavors and toppings, making it a bit of a challenge to choose just one!
We finally decided on two flavors:
🍵 Matcha with Warabimochi – warabimochi is a soft, jiggly mochi that’s fun to eat and pairs wonderfully with the slightly bitter matcha syrup.
🥭 Mango with Nata de Coco – this one was refreshing and fruity, with chewy coconut jelly adding a great texture.
Each cup came layered with crunchy corn flakes at the bottom, which added a surprising and satisfying contrast to the creamy ice cream.
Whether you’re an ice cream lover living in Japan or just visiting for a few days, 21時にアイス is worth checking out if you’re craving something sweet outside regular café hours. With many locations across the country, it’s easy to find one near you.
🗺️ You can check out their full list of shops here: https://21-ni-ice.com/shop/
We’re already looking forward to trying more flavors at another one of their locations — maybe the Osaka Namba branch after a nice summer dinner in town. With so many tempting combinations, it’s hard to choose just one visit!
Have you ever been to 21時にアイス?
We’d love to hear your thoughts or recommendations, so don’t hesitate to leave a comment and share your favorite flavor!