The Most Beautiful and Unique Starbucks in Japan

Are you a Starbucks lover? In Japan, you can find Starbucks cafes in some extraordinary places. Unique locations, with a local touch but always the same Starbucks quality. After living in Japan, I wanted to research and visit some of these great places (could I honestly get anymore American?) So I thought I’d put together a list of the most beautiful and unique Starbucks in Japan. Whether you enjoy a cup of Starbucks coffee or not, these stores are worth a visit for the location!

The first ‘Sutaba’ in Japan opened its doors in 1996 in Ginza, Tokyo. Since then, it has expanded rapidly throughout the country. In September 2019, Starbucks stores had reached 1,497 while boasting some of the world’s busiest and biggest – two different outlets – located in Tokyo.

The Ginza Matsuya-dori store opened in 1996 as the first Starbucks in Japan. The cafe’s chic exterior and expansive windows set it apart from your typical coffee chain. No wonder it created a national stir when it first opened.

The very first customer at this branch ordered a double-tall latte; a drink exclusively served here.

Starbucks Japan has exploded since initially launching that first shop, with well over 1,000 stores across the country.

While the coffee chain is particularly well-known for its seasonal drinks and merchandise unique to the Japanese market—like Sakura-themed tumblers and Frappuccinos—some stores also deserve special attention.

Why Starbucks?

While most of them perhaps arguably don’t deserve a second look, tucked away in a train station or shopping mall, when it comes to locating in traditional areas or cultural districts, Starbucks Japan has excelled at harmonizing their store design with local and traditional culture, creating Insta-worthy, one-of-a-kind spaces in inspiring locations while featuring cutting-edge architecture and design. 

Some of these shops are so innovative that you wouldn’t even know it was a Starbucks until you notice the familiar green mermaid logo. To help you find the locations, I’ve put the address below. And make sure to check out their website to find more info.

So here are the 20 most stunning Starbucks in the country, from one set in a heritage house in Kyoto to the Kawagoe outlet that features a Zen garden and beyond.

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Most Beautiful and Unique Starbucks in Japan

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

In February 2019, the fifth and largest (at the time) Starbucks Roastery worldwide was opened in Tokyo, in Nakameguro along the Meguro River. The four-floor complex comprises about 200 sqm with indoor and outdoor seating and is without question, the biggest Starbucks in Japan. The exterior was designed by the world-renowned contemporary architect, Kengo Kuma. The Starbucks community design team created the interior but carefully selected to match Kuma’s modern Japanese architectural style.

Along with the exceptional Reserve, coffee is also tea, Italian snacks and food, and even alcohol. 

The industrial-cool interior houses a roasting factory on the top floor, an Arriviamo cocktail bar on the third floor, and a Teavana tea room on the second floor; the ground floor, however, is taken over by the Milanese bakery Princi, famous for its cronuts and focaccia pizza. Take your sakura latte out to the alfresco terrace on the fourth floor for a view of the Meguro river.

As can be expected, this Starbucks is very popular – especially in springtime when the many sakura trees lining the Meguro river are in full bloom! (Check out their sakura-themed merchandise). On the weekend, the waiting time reaches a peak of 5 hours, and it’s necessary to reserve a time in person. But the good news is, once you’ve booked your time, you don’t have to stand in line.

Depending on your estimated return time, you can enjoy the Nakameguro neighborhood or even venture into Shibuya.  While I would say this is the best Starbucks in Tokyo, if you’re only looking to grab a drink and a rest from sightseeing, there are many other beautiful options to choose from. 

Check out our guide to the Reserve Roastery in Tokyo for more on the process and what to expect in the Roastery. 

Also Read: Guide to Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo

Locations: 2-19-23 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya

Ninenzaka is the traditional area located in Kyoto near Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Here you can find one of the two Starbucks in Kyoto worth a visit. The traditional-looking store opened in 2017 inside a 100-year-old machiya– a traditional townhouse – from the Taisho Period. The store perfectly blends in with the neighborhood’s historic atmosphere, and if it weren’t for the sign (and perhaps the people), you would probably not even notice this Starbucks. For this reason I think it’s the most beautiful Starbucks in Japan.

One year after its opening, this Starbucks outlet received the Kyoto Scenery Award (Kyoto Keikan Sho) for ‘its inspired effort in preserving and combining tradition with contemporary coffee culture.’ Examples of this are two unique features:

• It was the first Starbucks ever to offer tatami floor seating.
• It is the only Starbucks with Noren “暖簾,” the traditional Japanese shop curtain.

The shop retains its original daibei, the wooden wall that forms the outer enclosure. Inside you’ll see three inner courtyards that have been transformed into traditional Japanese gardens. The upper floor is modeled after a traditional Japanese tea house, with the tatami floors, zabuton cushions made from artisanal kimono fabric produced in Kyoto’s Tango area, and the tokonoma spaces displaying beautiful wall scrolls.

Location: 〒605-0826 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Masuyacho, 349

Read Also: All About Coffee and Tea

Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori 

In 2018, Starbucks opened a store in Kawagoe, in Saitama, the prefecture just northwest of Tokyo. Located on the main shopping street near the wooden tower landmark Toki no Kane, its design perfectly blends in with the many kurazukuri houses that Kawagoe, also known as Little Edo, is famous for.

The café was built to resemble a traditional warehouse, complete with a light-colored wooden exterior made with local cedarwood and a typical tiled roof to match the neighborhood’s nostalgic Little Edo townscape. The white Noren curtains give it a traditional touch and modern sensibility.

You’ll pass the typical counter and into the seating area towards the back. The walls in this area are lined with framed artworks, which are repurposed from fusuma sliding panels commonly used in traditional Japanese homes to separate rooms.

The backrest cushions of the benches, on the other hand, are made with Kawagoe tozan, a local kimono fabric that’s been around since the late Edo period (1603-1868). They are held in place by ume musubi-style knotted cords, which create a homey vibe while emphasizing the outlet’s connection to the locale.

Next to the indoor space has a pretty outdoor seating area in the karesansui style, complete with bonsai trees, a stone pathway, and wind chimes for your peaceful coffee break. If Starbucks had existed already during the Edo period, it would have looked like.

With a bit of luck, you might even hear the Tsuki no Kane bell tower nearby, which has been ringing at set intervals since the Edo period. This is a great location for day trips from Tokyo because it’s easily connected by train.  

Location: 〒350-0063 Saitama, Kawagoe, Saiwaichō, 15−18

Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando 

Around 1,000 cherry trees bloom here, turning the entirety of Asahigaoka Park pink. Entry is free and picnickers are welcome. They even illuminate the cherry trees at night to give the park a more magical feel. There is also a small petting zoo, including baby rabbits and guinea pigs.

Opened in 2011, the Dazaifutenmangu Omotesando store is located along the historic pedestrian street leading to Fukuoka’s famed Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine, which is famous for the god of academics. This Starbucks outlet is another on our list designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma who, as we said above, designed the Reserve Roastery in Tokyo, as well as the National Stadium in Tokyo. And I personally think it’s the most unique Starbucks in Japan because of its innovative design that is unlike anything else on our list

Unlike our last two options on this list with their highly traditional designs, this store’s scheme takes a traditional wooden framework structure and creates an avant-garde art installation. 

Those familiar with Kengo Kuma’s work will recognize the outlet’s eye-catching feature, a crisscrossing mass of wooden beams, as his signature style. It comprises 2,000 cedarwood bars, ranging from 1.3m to 4m long and 6cm wide, all pieced together using the traditional kigumi technique, which is the art of interlocking wooden joints without nails.

In the elongated, tunnel-like space, the zigzag-ing sofa seats follow through with the sharp geometric lines, while natural light from the skylight and the windows at the back give the room a bright and airy feel. The wooden design references the traditional surroundings while elevating the townscape with a contemporary edge.

A year after opening in 2012, the store won Japan’s Good Design Award for “enabling (guests) to feel new developments in how wood is used.”

Location: 3 Chome-2-43 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0117

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Kyoto Sanjo Ohashi 

The Kyoto Sanjo Ohashi store operates throughout the year, like any Starbucks. However, it transforms in the summer from May to September. Summer terraces (noryo-yuka) are a common feature in Kyoto. Yuka are decks set up along the Kamogawa and other rivers in Kyoto. They are set up with the purpose of cooling off in the hot summers, thanks to the refreshing breeze and flowing river below.

These decks are installed outside the coffeehouse, allowing customers to enjoy this tradition with a drink!

There are a limited number of seats, so you may have to wait in line on weekends and holidays. Please note that you’ll be added to a waitlist after purchasing your drink.

We recommend visiting in the mornings on weekdays since there are fewer people. In the evenings, the view of the Kamo River is breathtaking, so try visiting during that time too!

While you’re in Kyoto at this time of year, you can also see the opening ceremony on May 25th of a popular event with locals, including maiko & geiko, out celebrating.

Location: 〒604-8004 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakajimacho, 113

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Hirosaki Koen-mae 

This retro-looking outpost in Tohoku’s Aomori prefecture was the second of three Starbucks stores that opened inside a Tangible Cultural Property – in this case, the Daihachi Dancho Kansha, a former residence of a division commander built in 1917. Located next to Hirosaki Park (famous for its cherry blossoms in spring), the heritage building was adapted into a coffee shop back in 2015.

Its interior combines original western-style aesthetics with Japanese design details, such as shoji (paper sliding doors) and classic wall scrolls.The space also features traditional crafts of the area. Two types of light fixtures, for example, are made from local beech wood, processed with a technique called bunaco, where the material is cut into thin strips and coiled. The backrests of the sofas, on the other hand, are covered in a light-blue cloth adorned with geometric patterns embroidered in the Tsugaru style kogin-zashi.

You’ll feel that you’ve slipped back in time to the Taisho Period!

Pictures depicting the history of this Western home are hung on the walls so that you can learn about the memories associated with this place.

Location: 1-1 Kamishiroganecho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8207

Toyama Kansui Park 

Home to 2,600 flowering cherry trees, Hirosaki Park is considered one of the best cherry blossom viewing locations in the

The Kansui Park store in Toyama was the first Starbucks in Japan to open inside a park. It is commonly called “the most beautiful Starbucks” and is famous worldwide.

Located alongside the Fugan Canal, this 9.6-hectare park is full of nature and is home to a bird sanctuary frequented by wild birds and an outdoor theater. This particular Starbucks sits on the canal’s shore, and a variety of customers spanning all ages – some with pets in tow – stop here to relax and recharge.

Its simplistic design harmonizes with and blends into the nature-rich park. The blue sky and white clouds shine on the store’s glass walls on sunny days.

The park’s scenery can also be enjoyed through the large windows.

The most popular seats in the store are on the balcony, thanks to its river view. Even if no seats are available, you can still soak up the sunlight and feel the breeze on the patio with a drink in hand.

The night view is also exceptional!

Location: 〒930-0805 Toyama, Minatoirifunecho, 5, 富山富岩運河環水公園

Hakodate Bayside 

Most cherry blossom spots feature hundreds, if not thousands, of individual trees. Miharu Takizakura is unique in that it is home to only a single tree. What, then, makes this location so special? One of the “three greatest cherry trees” in Japan, this may be the most popular individual tree in the country. The takizakura, or “waterfall cherry tree,” is a weeping cherry tree that is thought to be over one thousand years old. It is located in the hills outside of Miharu Town, near Koriyam City in the Fukushima Prefecture.

Located in Hokkaido’s port city Hakodate, this Starbucks is set in one of the heritage buildings in the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse district, which dates back to the Meiji era (1868-1912). In keeping its original wooden flooring and staircase, the two-story warehouse has managed to preserve and showcase its historic atmosphere.

You can gather around the fireplace from autumn to early spring and sip on a hot latte to warm up from Hokkaido’s harsh winter. All seats offer a great view of Hakodate Bay but head out to the terrace on the second floor if you prefer a slight breeze.

Location: 〒040-0053 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Suehirocho, 24−6 函館西波止場

Izumo Taisha 

The Shiroishi River, which flows through the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is lined with about 8 kilometers of cherry blossom trees along its embankment, creating a stunning landscape with a backdrop of the majestic snow-capped Zao Mou

The famous Izumo Taisha, dedicated to the Shinto deity of marriage – Ōkuninushi –  is one of Japan’s most ancient and important Shinto shrines. Even though its construction date is unknown, it is widely believed that it is the oldest shrine in all of Japan. Next to the Izumo-taisha shrine, you can find a beautiful Starbucks with a beautiful blend of traditional and modern design. 

The first floor is designed in a Western-style. The store also has enormous glass windows that reach the floor, enabling a great outside view.

The second floor features some Shinto elements, including wooden tables shaped like traditional magatama beads, lighting designed with the shrine’s shimenawa (woven rice straw ropes – that you can also see in sumo), and a gable roof design that shows the traditional Shinto style characteristic to the area.

When you’re there, make sure to get yourself an Izumo mug. They are designed with an agate pattern and hand-painted by artisans in Izumo. They cannot be purchased online or anywhere else aside from this Starbucks, definitely a great souvenir!

Starbucks Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture is a stone’s throw from Izumo Grand Shrine, a popular spiritual spot for romantic relationships and marriage. The exterior is inspired by traditional Japanese homes with the concept of being a “union between Japan and the West.”

Location: 841 Taishacho Kizukiminami, Izumo, Shimane 699-0711

Fukuoka Ohori Park 

The Fukuoka Ohori Park store is the second Starbucks to open in a park, following Toyama Kansui Park.

It even looks similar to the Toyama Kansui Park store on the outside. However, this location has a unique interior that is especially environmentally conscious.

For example, the store makes an effort to “let natural light and reduce the amount of electricity used during the day.” A portion of the tables is also made from custom boards produced by combining used coffee grounds with timber from forest thinning.

Thanks to the many single-person tables, guests love getting some work done inside the Fukuoka Ohori Park store.

Location: 1-8 Ohorikoen, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0051

TSUTAYA Books Takeo City Library 

Takeo City in Saga Prefecture renovated and reopened the Takeo City Library in 2013. It shares the premises with TSUTAYA BOOKS and Starbucks to appeal to a wide range of readers. You can also borrow and purchase books.

The impressive interior features a high ceiling, large wooden beams, and spectacular bookshelves lined with over 200,000 volumes. These features make it a popular spot with architecture enthusiasts.

Many Starbucks worldwide are located in bookstores, but having one in a library is rare. How about immersing yourself in a world surrounded by the scent of books with a cup of coffee?

Location: 5304-1 Takeocho Oaza Takeo, Takeo, Saga 843-0022

Read Also: English Bookstores in Tokyo

Kobe Meriken Park 

A distinguished structure at the seaside park featuring the landmark Kobe Port Tower, this Starbucks outpost is inspired by the area’s maritime setting. The facade resembles fish scales (perhaps a nod to the brand’s famous mermaid) and was constructed using the traditional hishibuki technique to arrange square (metal) plates into diamond-shaped patterns.

The first floor affords a great view of the green lawn and harbor, while the second floor is designed after the bow of a ship, complete with a curved glass wall, creating the illusion that you’re on a cruise admiring the sea view. For the perfect Instagram shot, head over in the evening when the surrounding Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum, and giant Ferris wheel are all lit up.

Location: 2-4 Hatobacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0042

Yomiuriland’s Hana Biyori Garden 

This unusual Starbucks is set inside a greenhouse at Yomiuriland’s Hana Biyori garden – and it’s like walking into a floral fantasy of your Instagram dreams. The big hall is decked out with blooming flower walls and hanging baskets planted with begonias, fuchsias, petunias, geraniums, and bellflowers.

The open, light-filled space is a breath of fresh air and a sight for sore eyes. The lush, comfortable atmosphere has plenty of greenery to calm your mind – there’s even a communal table with a water feature. Make a beeline for one of the counter seats facing the café’s 8m-long aquarium, and you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing view of colorful coral fish from Okinawa.

As the greenhouse is inside Yomiuriland’s Hana Biyori botanical garden, you’ll have to fork out ¥1,200 (primary school students and children aged three and older ¥600) for the park entry to get to this unique Starbucks outlet.

See Also: Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Location:4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo 206-8725

Dogo Onsen Ekisha 

Dogo Onsen Ekisha’s Starbucks is situated in a two-story Meiji-era (1868-1912) structure, built in 1912, that is part of the Dogo Onsen train station in Matsuyama, the gateway to Japan’s oldest hot spring. It has a townhouse-like exterior with Western influences and a railway theme inside, with tables and chairs being upcycled from old rails and timber.

The cafe is furnished with muted green and brown tones to match its exterior and leafy wallpaper. You could either opt for the brighter window seats or cushioned stools at the long central table.

Outside, the lattice windows, the Victorian-style fencing on the roof, and the wooden facade are characteristic of the country’s architectural trend in the early 20th century, which seek to combine Western and traditional Japanese aesthetics.

You could watch the trains coming and going from the windows while sipping on your latte. In keeping with the neighborhood’s heritage, the bar counter and the communal table are made from railway sleepers – the latter even features metal rails repurposed from disused train tracks. 

See Also: Guide to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

Location: 1 Chome-10-12 Dogomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0843

Kobe Kitano Ijinkan 

The Kitano area in Kobe is famous for its old western-style residences, which were built before the war and were later converted into consulate staff residences. The preserved entities are called Ijinkan in Japanese, which means ‘foreign residences.’

Approaching the Starbucks in Kitano, one can immediately sense the uniqueness of this store. Simply said, it’s a stunning and elegant western-style old wooden home. It’s called Kitano Monogatari-kan and was apparently built in 1907 for an American resident named M.J. Shay. It’s said to have been passed on to a German baker before the ownership was finally transferred to the City of Kobe after the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. The house was moved to its current location in 2001, and in 2009 Starbucks was allowed to open a coffee shop on the premises.

It doesn’t feel like a store, but a house, a home setup with a lounge, a dining room, and a guest room, which gives your coffee experience a different flavor. The quiet and hilly location, surrounded by more architecture from the 19th century, is what you need after walking up the slope from Sannomiya station. As you can imagine, it’s pretty hard to find a table on weekends; however, make sure you visit the second floor, from where you can enjoy the street view, browse the library and the typewriter room.

The location looks particularly lovely when the Christmas lights add further beauty to the ambiance. The winter light-up in the Kitano area starts in early December and continues until March.

Location: 〒650-0002 Hyogo, Kobe, Chuo Ward, Kitanocho, 3 Chome−1−31 北野物語館

Kamakura Onarimachi 

Kamakura is a popular day trip destination for locals, being an hour away from Tokyo. Close to the Kamakura station, you can find a Starbucks in the former residence of manga artist Ryuichi Yokoyama – making it popular with artists. Some of the artwork is on display in this modern style store. This Starbucks’ design is dominated by wood and glass, with the high ceiling providing open space. One of the main features of this store is engawa, the Japanese veranda with tatami mats for guests to unwind and relax in view of the pool.

1. Wood: There is a lot of wood here: The ceiling, the floor, and an outside veranda are all made of beautiful wood.
2. Ceiling: The ceiling is very high, giving the shop a feeling of vast, open space.
3. Glass: There is a lot of glass, too, including glass high up on the wall over the serving counter and one entire side of the shop.
4. Veranda: There is outside seating on a spacious wooden verandah, which looks out on the pool of Yokoyama’s yard. Along the patio edge, there are small tatami straw mats and cushions for people who want to sit, relax, and dangle their feet over the edge.
5. Art: Some of Yokoyama’s work is on display in the shop. Look around and see if you can find it!

Please be aware that there are two other Starbucks in Kamakura; one located on the other side of the station near Tokyu Store and one in Ofuna Station. This Starbucks is located in Onarimachi, just behind the Kinokuniya imported foods store and directly across the street from Kamakura City Office.

If you’re going to drop in for some java, I’d recommend doing it in the morning before it gets too crowded. But if you don’t mind sitting outside on the veranda, then any time of the day is fine.

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Location: 15-11 Onarimachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0012

Ueno Park

This low-rise structured store bathes in natural light and offers a large outdoor seating capacity. But it didn’t make its way to this list because of its design, but because of its location. Ueno Park is one of the biggest public parks in Tokyo, famously known for its historical location, shrines & temples, museums, and… sakura viewing in spring!

Ueno Park is a prime spot, with many sakura trees lined up along the main street. The Starbucks is located close to the front gate of Ueno Zoo hence don’t be surprised to hear the lions roar while you are sipping your coffee and watching all the people pass by.

The store has a small van outside for anyone with a tall-sized order to get in and out as fast as possible to cope with crowds.

Location: 8-22 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007

Read Also: Bars and Restaurants from Murakami Novels in Tokyo

Kagoshima Senganen

Although it may appear to be a simple Western-style house with a balcony, the roof tiles are Japanese. The exterior, a fusion between East and West, will catch your eye.

You wouldn’t think that this is a Starbucks store at first glance, but it is the location of Starbucks Coffee Kagoshima Senganen. The building was constructed over 100 years ago and is registered as Tangible Cultural Property.

This Starbuck location opened in 2017. Upon entering, you’ll see a spacious shop counter. The low lighting produces a calming ambiance.

Once you’ve received your coffee, search for a place to sit. There are seats on the first and second floors, including comfortable sofa seats on the first floor.

The second floor has bright lighting and an impressively high ceiling. The elegance of the space will make you want to sit and take your time enjoying your drink. However, it’s a waste to just drink coffee!

Be sure to survey the shop interior, paying attention to the lighting, windows, and walls. Even the most minor details are designs inspired by traditional Kagoshima culture.

First, when you pick up your coffee at the counter, look down at the paneling. The notched design is Kagoshima-related.

The design is inspired by Satsuma Kiriko, a traditional Kagoshima craft that features layering different colored glass on top of clear glass that is then cut with patterns.

In the store, there are several decorations connected to Satsuma Kiriko.

One is the grid-shaped design on the first-floor ceiling. This design uses the shapes of Satsuma Kiriko as a motif.

The ceiling lights on the second floor are also in a grid shape inspired by Satsuma Kiriko.

You’ll also come across other regional touches throughout the store. Some examples include Kagoshima cedar used to make the large desk in the middle of the second floor. Look for the terrace bench in the garden in front of the building, made from welded tuff that is also produced in Kagoshima.

Peer outside on a day with clear skies, and you’ll see Sakurajima, an iconic natural fixture of Kagoshima!

Location: 9688-1 Yoshinocho, Kagoshima, 892-0871

Tokyu Plaza Omotesando 

One of Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks, this store is located by the Meiji-jingumae junction, on the sixth floor of the Tokyu Plaza department store. The entrance to this Harajuku hub of youth fashion is a giant silver chasm with an elevator going right into it. Fear not; enter the mirrored tunnel, and you will be rewarded.

When you make it up to the sixth floor, you will find ample seating with couches, roundtables, and counters that look out toward the streets and the hordes of shoppers snaking up and down them. By the time you’ve received your drink, you will have seen the expansive rooftop garden directly behind you. Walk right out and enjoy the fantastic outdoor deck area, made up of some 200 square meters with a large illuminated tree in the middle and bar-style seating around it.

But we are here for the view. The stunning vista from the deck looks right out onto Harajuku towards Yoyogi Park and Shibuya. If you time it right, the sun paints Omotesando in breathtaking shades of orange and blue. This is the perfect spot to breathe some fresh air and enjoy Tokyo in all its splendor from above.

Location: 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 4 Chome−30−3 東急プラザ 表参道原宿

Shibuya TSUTAYA (Scramble Crossing) 

Without a doubt, the most famous Starbucks in Japan is the Starbuck overlooking the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. People come here to watch the famous crossing, especially at rush hour when thousands of pedestrians cross the street from all directions under the neon glow of Shibuya’s digital billboards. The place is fantastic for people watching, but be warned, it is also one of the busiest Starbucks worldwide. You will find there are many tourists and photographers alike who are all looking to snap the famous photo.

If you’re just in the mood for some coffee, I would skip this location because it’s super crowded, and the inside isn’t anything special.  There is always a wait time to find somewhere to sit, and you can only buy tall and grande-sized drinks.But, if you want to visit the Starbucks you’ve seen in almost every photo of the Shibuya Crossing, or you want an unobstructed view of the crossing, then, by all means, enjoy.  And make sure to look around the TSUTAYA bookstore while you’re in the building.

Location: 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 21−6 

Odaiba Aqua City 

Chances are Odaiba is already on your Tokyo checklist as the man-made island home of the giant moving Gundam and the teamLab Borderless digital art exhibition. Located inside the Aqua City shopping complex, the store faces the business district of Shinagawa across the bay, as well as the famous Rainbow Bridge that connects the city to the island, offering the perfect pitstop for exploring what Odaiba has to offer. Everything from the breathtaking architecture of the FujiTV building’s Hachitama sphere to the Statue of Liberty replica at Odaiba Seaside Park is within a quick five-minute walk.

You can chill inside on the cozy seating or make your way out to the patio. Once the sun is down, Odaiba comes alive with lights as Rainbow Bridge paints the night sky over the bay. It’s a sight you have to see, and a great way to enjoy your next Starbucks visit.

Location: 〒135-0091 Tokyo, Minato City, Daiba, 1 Chome−7−1, AQUA CITY ODAIBA, 区番R306

Ginza Matsuya-dori 

The Ginza Matsuya-dori store opened in 1996 as the first Starbucks in Japan. The cafe’s chic modern exterior and tall windows set it apart from your typical coffee chain and created a national stir when it first opened.

Like we said earlier, the very first customer at this branch ordered a double tall latte, a drink that is exclusively served here.

While I don’t think this location is especially beautiful or architecturally unique, especially compared to the others on this list, there is the significance of this store creating the nationwide love of Starbucks that is seen today. 

If you are an incredibly huge fan of the brand or find yourself in Ginza and want to see a small piece of history, check out this location. A memorial plaque commemorating the store as the first in Japan is displayed inside. This is a must-visit photo spot for Starbucks fans.

Location: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 3 Chome−7−14 ＥＳＫビル １F

Starbucks Reserve Store Ginza Marronnier-dori 

Another Ginza Starbucks location is the Ginza Marronnier-dori store which is Starbucks’ flagship store in Tokyo’s ritzy shopping district. It was renovated and upgraded to RESERVE® STORE Ginza Marronnier-dori in 2019.

Much like RESERVE® ROASTERY TOKYO, customers can enjoy pasta, among other tasty dishes, Teavana™ teas, and even alcoholic beverages. The store also offers a variety of special seasonal menu items.

Unlike a standard Starbucks, this upscale outlet has its own Italian restaurant called Apericena, specializing in aperitifs and hearty Italian cuisine.  Apericena offers a daily all-you-can-eat buffet for about 3080 Yen. 

The buffet and restaurant are open from 5 to 10 PM, and an advanced reservation is needed.  The food offerings change regularly, but you can expect a mix of cold cuts, cheese, olives, deli items, crostini, and bread.  

But, the buffet is not self-service. Staff will pile up your plate at your request.  The buffet does not include all-you-can-drink but one cocktail, mocktail, glass of wine, or beer comes with the price. 

There are a few other Starbucks Reserve locations in Tokyo that aren’t quite as expansive as this one or the Reserve Roastery in Meguro, but if you’re just looking for great quality Reserve coffee a step above your standard Starbucks store, you can find the locations here. 

Make a reservation here.

Location: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 3 Chome−7−3 銀座オーミビル 1F

Starbucks Japan Menu

The Starbucks Japan menu has most of your favorites from other Starbucks locations around the world, with a few exceptions.  My husband loves nitro cold brew and has found it only in a few locations, one in Kawagoe, and in Okinawa, possibly because of the large American population there.  But, there are plenty of unique options at Japanese Starbucks including additional matcha options, as you might expect. While each location varies and changes seasonally, here is the Starbucks Japan menu to check out. 

Starbucks Japan Merchandise

Starbucks lovers know all about the location cups they come out with and some even collect as many as they can.  That’s no different here in Japan.  I’ve talked quite a bit about Starbucks or seasonal merchandise including the Starbucks Japan cup, like the one below.  You can also see the seasonal merchandise for the Starbucks Reserve locations here. 

Starbucks Japan Online Store

If you can’t make it to Japan or can’t find the mug you’re looking for, you can go to the Starbucks Japan online store to buy your souvenirs. 

Next time you travel to Japan and feel the need for some Starbucks, head to one of these locations so you can get the Starbucks coffee I know you’re obsessed with (why would you be reading this if you hate Starbucks), while also getting a unique experience you can only experience in Japan.

What do you think of these beautiful Starbucks locations? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to tell me of any other great coffee shops here in Japan or around the world that I need to check out.

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