Haagen-Dazs

What Haagen-Dazs does

Häagen-Dazs Japan, Inc. (ハーゲンダッツ ジャパン株式会社) is the Japanese operating subsidiary of the global Häagen-Dazs brand, established in August 1984 as a joint venture owned 50% by Häagen-Dazs Nederland B.V., 40% by Suntory Holdings, and 10% by Takkanashi Dairy. The company manufactures and markets premium ice cream in Japan using a proprietary low-overrun process (minimal air content for dense texture) and a strict cold chain (-40°C freezing, -23°C storage, -18°C delivery), produced at the Gunma Prefecture factory — one of only three Häagen-Dazs factories worldwide. Headquartered in Meguro, Tokyo, with an R&D center in Kawasaki and six regional sales offices, the company employs 282 people (as of April 2026) and reported ¥528 billion in annual sales for 2024.

The portfolio spans Mini Cups (8 year-round flavors plus limited editions), Crispy Sandwiches (a Japan-invented format, 2001), Bars, Pints, Assortment Boxes, and gift products including physical Gift Tickets, the Smärt B2B digital gift system, and LINE/Pochitto social gifting. Sub-brands include GREEN CRAFT (plant-based soy-milk line, 2023), JAPAN MIND (Japanese-sensibility series, 2025), and Gelati. Distribution is anchored in Japan's three major convenience store chains (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson), with additional reach through supermarkets, department stores, and the Gotemba Premium Outlet. The company has developed over 600 flavors since 1984 and partners with major cultural IP (TWICE, TXT, ILLIT, YOASOBI) for marketing activations.

Häagen-Dazs Japan generates revenue primarily through one-time unit sales of branded ice cream products across retail channels, supplemented by transaction-fee-based digital gifting services (Smärt corporate gifts, LINE social gifts) and promotional campaign spend. Pricing is positioned at the premium tier (US pints at $6.99, UK 460ml tubs at £5.75–£6, Japan gift tickets at ¥865 tax-free). The business model is asset-light relative to its revenue base: with 282 employees generating ¥528B in 2024 sales, the company operates as a high-leverage brand-and-distribution engine backed by a single domestic factory and a global brand license.

Name

Haagen-Dazs

Legal name

ハーゲンダッツ ジャパン株式会社

Website

https://haagen-dazs.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Häagen-Dazs Japan is a premium ice cream manufacturer and marketer, operating as a joint venture (50% Häagen-Dazs Nederland, 40% Suntory, 10% Takkanashi Dairy). It produces low-overrun ice cream at its Gunma factory and distributes Mini Cups, Crispy Sandwiches, bars, and gifts through convenience stores, supermarkets, and digital gifting to Japanese consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Ice Cream

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts (CRADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Frozen & Refrigerated Snack Foods (Ice Cream Novelties, Snack Bites) (CRADABAL)

Keywords

• Premium ice cream
• Frozen desserts
• Dairy products
• Ice cream novelties
• Confectionery products

Headquarters

HQ city

Kami-meguro

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ice Cream Product Sales: Direct sales of ice cream products through convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, and retail shops. Core revenue driver with 528 billion JPY in annual sales (2024). Products include mini cups, pints, bars, crispy sandwiches, and assortment boxes sold year-round and seasonally.
2. Gift Certificate System (Smärt): Corporate digital gift service allowing companies to send product exchange URLs to customers/employees for redemption at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson). Minimum order 100 units, with online workflow for URL delivery.
3. Social Gift (LINE/Pochitto): Digital gift service for personal gifting via LINE Gift and Pochitto platforms. Consumers purchase gift codes redeemable for ice cream products at convenience stores.
4. Campaign Promotions: Marketing campaigns (e.g., '絶対もらえる' campaigns) where purchase receipts can be exchanged for prizes or gifts. Generates brand engagement and consumer purchase incentives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Häagen-Dazs Japan manufactures and sells premium ice cream products through multiple retail formats including mini cups, pints, bars, crispy sandwiches, and assorted gift boxes. The company operates a single domestic manufacturing facility in Gunma Prefecture and distributes products through convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson), supermarkets, and department stores across Japan. It also offers digital gifting services for both consumers and corporate clients.

Product overview

Häagen-Dazs Japan offers a diversified ice cream portfolio across multiple product formats. The core year-round lineup consists of Mini Cups (8 standard flavors), Crispy Sandwich (wafer ice cream sandwiches, Japan-invented in 2001), Bars, Assort Boxes, and Pints. The portfolio includes GREEN CRAFT, a plant-based sub-brand using soy milk for dairy-free options. Seasonal and limited-edition products drive innovation, including dessert-inspired flavors, Japanese-style series (Japan Mind), and collaborations. The company also operates gift services including physical Gift Tickets, Social Gift (LINE integration), and Smart Gift for corporate clients. Products are manufactured domestically in Gunma Prefecture with Hokkaido milk and Madagascar vanilla as signature ingredients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GREEN CRAFT (グリーンクラフト): Plant-based soy milk ice cream series introduced in 2023, representing Häagen-Dazs Japan's first non-dairy product line.
• Gelati (ジェラーティ)
• JAPAN MIND (ジャパン マインド)
• Crispy Sandwich (クリスピーサンド)

Products and services

• ミニカップ (Mini Cup) Single-serving ice cream cups available in 8 year-round standard flavors including Vanilla, Strawberry, Green Tea, Cookies & Cream, Macadamia Nut, Rum Raisins, plus regular seasonal limited editions. Targeted at individual consumers seeking a premium treat experience.
• グリーンクラフト (GREEN CRAFT) Plant-based ice cream series made with soy milk, targeting consumers with dairy allergies or those seeking dairy-free options. Currently features Chocolate & Macadamia, Hojicha Kuromitsu, and Affogato varieties.
• クリスピーサンド (Crispy Sandwich) Ice cream sandwich with crispy wafer cookies and various coatings. Japan-developed product featuring The Green Tea as a new standard flavor and seasonal varieties like Rich Caramel and Strawberry White Chocolate.
• バー (Bar) Ice cream bars including Vanilla Chocolate Macadamia (year-round) and seasonal varieties such as Pear & Milk and Royal Milk Tea Crunch.
• アソートボックス (Assort Box) Multi-flavor gift boxes including Lovers Assort (Vanilla, Strawberry, Cookies & Cream), Classic Assort (Vanilla, Green Tea, Rum Raisins), and seasonal Japanese Sweets Assort.
• パイント (Pint) Larger family-size containers featuring four year-round flavors: Vanilla, Strawberry, Green Tea, and Cookies & Cream.
• ギフト券 (Gift Ticket) Physical gift certificates redeemable for Häagen-Dazs products at participating retailers. Targeted at individual consumers and corporate gifting use cases.
• ソーシャルギフト (Social Gift) Digital gifting service allowing individual consumers to send Häagen-Dazs ice cream via LINE messaging or email. Recipients receive gift codes redeemable at convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson).
• Smärt Häagen-Dazs Gift Digital corporate gift service enabling companies to send product exchange URLs to customers/employees for redemption at convenience stores. Minimum order 100 units, with online workflow for URL delivery.
• Gelati Summer gelato-style ice cream series featuring sorbet and gelato combinations. Two types of gelato in one cup with refreshing aftertaste.
• JAPAN MIND Series (日本一杯) Product series expressing Japanese excellence through Häagen-Dazs Japan's unique sensibility. Includes Strawberry Condensed Milk, Hojicha & Kinako, Gyokuro, and Yuzu White Chocolate varieties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2024 revenue of 528 billion JPY, demonstrating strong market position in premium ice cream segment
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Complex (Family Style Food Festival)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2026Year-long partnership making Häagen-Dazs the official ice cream partner for all five 2026 Family Style events. Includes debut of Cherry Dark Chocolate Bar and exclusive merchandise collaboration. Positions brand at intersection of food, fashion, and street culture.
• West Coast CustomsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Custom vehicle collaboration where West Coast Customs produced a custom vehicle commissioned by Häagen-Dazs. This was one of five top custom builds of 2025 revealed at CES 2026, showcasing brand extensions and lifestyle positioning.
• NPO Kiratappu Wetland National TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental support partnership since 2007. Donation activities and employee volunteer programs for wetland conservation in Hokkaido Nemuro-Kushiro region, where Häagen-Dazs sources its milk ingredients.
• Second Harvest JapanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan's first food bank organization (certified NPO). Häagen-Dazs donates products to provide ice cream to children at welfare facilities during summer and Christmas seasons.
• Japanese Supermarket Chains (Aoki Super, Aeon Kyushu, Warotuku Holdings, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor18 supermarket partners collaborating on Madagascar education support initiative. Mini Cup Vanilla sales proceeds partially donated to build schools and provide educational materials in Madagascar.
• YOASOBIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic group collaboration for 40th anniversary campaign merchandise prizes. Campaign offering YOASOBI-themed prizes to consumers purchasing Häagen-Dazs products.
• TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerK-pop group collaboration for 40th anniversary 4th product launch (October 2024). Included pre-taste videos, original graphics, and domestic 4-dome tour tie-ins.
• ILLITminorGTM or Marketing PartnerK-pop girl group collaboration for 'Demon's Whisper' and 'Angel's Seduction' chocolate ice cream product launch (September 2025). Included original song and dance choreography.
• Takkanashi Dairy (タカナシ乳業)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor10% shareholder. Local dairy partner providing production capabilities and dairy ingredient sourcing for Häagen-Dazs Japan operations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Baskin-Robbins: Largest ice cream specialty chain (operated by Inspire Brands/Dairy Queen), competing with Häagen-Dazs in the premium take-home tub and novelty segments, with strong flavor rotation cadence comparable to Häagen-Dazs Japan's 600+ flavor history.
• Ben & Jerry's: Unilever-owned premium ice cream brand with overlapping product formats (pints, novelties, bars) and direct competition in the same premium take-home and foodservice channels globally. Competes head-to-head with Häagen-Dazs Japan in retail and on flavor innovation pace.
• Morinaga (Morinaga Milk Industry): Major Japanese dairy manufacturer producing premium ice cream (Baton d'Or, Parlor ice cream). Comparable supplier of Hokkaido-origin dairy ingredients and competitor in the premium cup/nougat segments.
• Talenti (Unilever): Premium gelato/sorbet brand under Unilever competing with Häagen-Dazs in the better-for-you premium tub segment with cleaner-ingredient positioning that overlaps with Häagen-Dazs's Kitchen Friendly philosophy.
• Meiji Holdings (Meiji Ice Cream): Japan's leading dairy and ice cream company (Meiji brand Essel and other SKUs). Head-to-head competitor across Japanese convenience store, supermarket, and novelty channels; a true domestic incumbent that Häagen-Dazs Japan competes with on shelf and on flavor launches.
• Ezaki Glico (Glico Ice Cream): Major Japanese confectionery and ice cream manufacturer (Seventeen Ice, Puccho, Panapp). Directly competes with Häagen-Dazs in Japanese convenience store freezer space and on innovation cadence with Japanese-inspired flavors.
• Lotte (Lotte Ice Cream): Korean confectionery conglomerate with strong ice cream presence in Japan (Ghana chocolate bar, Yukimi Daifuku). Direct competitor in the Japanese single-serve novelty and convenience store channel.

Emerging players

• Daily Harvest: Direct-to-consumer frozen food brand (plant-based emphasis) representing the emerging health-forward consumer segment that Häagen-Dazs's GREEN CRAFT line is targeting. Adjacent in business model (subscription/online) and ingredient philosophy.
• Blue Star Ice Cream / Wells Enterprises: US-based premium ice cream manufacturer (Blue Bunny, Blue Ribbon) with growing premium positioning; an emerging competitive pressure in the take-home tub segment relevant to Häagen-Dazs US market presence.

Broad incumbents

• Nestlé Ice Cream: Global ice cream category leader (Dreyer's, Häagen-Dazs licensed in some markets globally, Mövenpick). A broad incumbent whose premium sub-brands compete with Häagen-Dazs Japan's international exports while also being a global scale manufacturer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/haagen_dazs_jp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt6L8tqJ3lqI4KQcKBJLq2w
• Facebookfacebook.com/HaagenDazsJP
• Instagraminstagram.com/haagendazs_jp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/haagen-dazs-japan

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Haagen-Dazs