Craving gelato on a hot summer's day? Just a short 5 minute walk from the JR Line’s Shinanomachi Station, where the 2020 Olympic Stadiums will be, is a delicious gelateria that has been serving up authentic gelato since 1953. In fact, this brand of gelateria goes so far back that it also happens to be Japan’s first gelato shop!





Vittorio and Lucia Tortorano, an Italian couple from a distinguished line of gelato purveyors to the Italian royal family, can be credited for offering us this opportunity to taste traditionally made gelato.



The gelato in Gelateria la Napoli are all freshly made on site, and uses real fruits for flavoring. During my time there, I saw streams of people coming in and out of the store. It was indeed a popular place! Flavors range from sun raisin to blood orange sorbet, and there are even ready made products to go.



The item that had my interest the most were their bite sizes gelatos. Priced at an affordable cost, this is a great way to sample various flavors. I settled with a caramel gelato cup, as caramel is my favorite flavor. The creaminess of the vanilla flavor balances delicately with the sweetness and slight saltiness of the caramel. It was heaven in a cup! If you are in the area visiting the construction of the national stadium and up for a taste brought by Japan’s first gelato shop, be sure to check Gelateria la Napoli out!

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