Beloved by Former President Obama, Craft Ice Cream 'MDI ICE CREAM' from Maine, USA, to Open a Limited-Time Scoop Shop in the Hakuba Area Starting April 18!

Zukutochie Inc. (Headquarters: Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano; Co-representatives: Hiroshi Wada, Satoru Ota), a company engaged in townscape regeneration and tourism-focused community development in the Hakuba area, has announced that its subsidiary, "Hakuba Iwatake Townscape Revitalization Co., Ltd." (Headquarters: Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano; President: Hiroshi Wada), established to revitalize the Hakuba Iwatake district, will open a limited-time shop for the craft ice cream brand from Maine, USA, "MT. DESERT ISLAND ICE CREAM" (hereafter MDI ICE CREAM), in the Hakuba Iwatake/Shinden area starting Saturday, April 18, 2026.

This opening is an initiative aimed at improving circulation in the Hakuba Iwatake area during the green season from summer to autumn, and creating a readily accessible cool-down spot that the region has been lacking.

Creating a "Stop-by Spot" to Enhance Summer Town Strolls

While the Hakuba Iwatake area is attractive for its year-round natural beauty, during the green season, there has been a lack of places where tourists and local residents can easily stop by, rest, and interact.
Particularly in the summer, while the need for short-stop food and rest facilities increases during breaks from hiking, strolling, cycling, and sightseeing, a challenge has been the scarcity of locations that can meet the demand for cold sweets and takeout.

Since our establishment in 2018, we have been working to regenerate local assets and enhance accommodation value in the Hakuba Iwatake area through the renovation of lodging facilities and old private houses, townscape improvements, and the introduction of dining functions. This limited-time shop is one of the initiatives in that vein.

We will not only focus on winter tourism demand but also enrich the way people spend time in Hakuba from spring to autumn, fostering a place within the community where tourists can easily stop by when they want to take a short break or enjoy something cold.

This shop is a seasonal base that proposes new ways to enjoy the green season in Hakuba Iwatake.

MDI ICE CREAM's Craft Ice Cream, Originating from Maine and Nurtured in Matsumoto/Azumino, Comes to Hakuba

MDI ICE CREAM is a craft ice cream brand founded in 2005 by Linda Parker on the nature-rich Mount Desert Island in Maine, USA.
It began with the desire to "create ice cream I truly want to eat," quickly gained a reputation, and is known as a powerhouse ice cream shop, having been selected as one of America's "Top 25 Ice Cream Parlors."

In 2010, the family of then-President Obama visited the island on vacation and stopped by the shop. The President himself enjoying a coconut-flavored ice cream became a major topic in the media.

In 2019, the first Japanese store opened in Matsumoto, Shinshu, where founder Linda once lived. In 2022, a new store and ice cream factory was established in Hotaka, Azumino City, building a flavor development and production system that utilizes ingredients from within Nagano Prefecture.

The characteristic of MDI ICE CREAM is that it is a Philadelphia-style ice cream with a rich body due to its high milk fat content, yet it has a clean aftertaste. While many recipes commonly use egg yolks, MDI ICE CREAM primarily offers flavors that do not use eggs, enhancing the natural taste and aroma of the ingredients. A major feature of the brand is its commitment to authenticity, not relying on artificial colors and avoiding unnecessary additives.