Everybody loves ice cream. Kids and adults all around the world like to cool themselves down with a delicious cup or cone of ice cream once it gets warmer. Japan gets really hot in summer and next to water-based ice cream and the normal ones you can get at the Konbinis, there is a special kind of ice cream with a Japanese twist to it: 

Mochi ice cream (餅アイスクリーム).

Mochi ice cream is a confection made from real Japanese mochi, which is pounded sticky rice with an ice cream filling. It was invented by Japanese-American businesswoman and activist Frances Hashimoto.

Mochi ice cream is a small, round dessert ball consisting of a soft, pounded sticky rice cake formed around an ice cream filling. The ice cream flavors the confection while the mochi adds sweetness and texture. Ice creams used include traditional flavors (such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) and others such as coffee, plum and bean. The mochi can also be flavored as a complement to the ice cream and is dusted with potato or corn starch to keep it from sticking while being formed and handled.
Japanese Manjū are the predecessors to mochi ice cream, commonly featuring a sweet bean filling. Due to the temperature and consistency of mochi and ice cream, both components must be modified to achieve the right texture that will remain constant regardless of changes in temperature.

Once the Mochi and ice cream are combined, a delicious dessert dish comes to life! It will definitely get a lot warmer in spring so keep Mochi ice cream in mind and your list of dishes to enjoy in the summer!