Newly opened (and tiny) dessert counter 196¡ã Ice Cream in Harajuku isn¡¯t making an empty boast when it says that it serves the freshest ice cream in the world. The staff blend raw mixture with cups of liquid nitrogen, and after a minute of whisking the two together, out from the billows of fog comes made-to-order ice cream that¡¯s so smooth it melts the moment it hits your tongue. You can choose between premium milk (?480), sweet chocolate (?530), creamy mango (?580) or a seasonal limited-edition flavor, all of which are as fun to watch being made as they are to eat. You¡¯ll think twice about regular ice cream forever after. 1-13-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; 03-6447-4950; . (Angela Erika Kubo)