Starbucks in Japan
☕ The Hybrid Coffee Shop
Going to Starbucks is a very popular activity in Japan. The American coffee shop brand has settled in the archipelago in 1996 and as of 2021 owns more than 1,600 shops scattered throughout the country (and is aiming at owning 2,000 in 2024). Starbucks shops in Japan serve seasonal drinks adapted to the Japanese taste.
There is an impressive number of Starbucks Coffee in Japan, especially in Tokyo. The most famous is undoubtedly the shop located at the Hachiko exit of Shibuya JR station, with an unobstructed view on the famous Shibuya Crossing.
At the Shibuya shop, buying a drink or a snack is required to get to the upper floor and admire the view, although some tourists "forget" to comply… In addition to the view, there are far more reasons to try at least once Starbucks Coffee in Japan! The Japanese menu indeed includes Frappuccino made with matcha tea, vanilla, coffee or jam, but also green teas such as Matcha Tea Latte or Hojicha Tea Latte, that you can side with sweet confectioneries like a green tea cake. There are also seasonal flavors, like cherry for the sakura 🌸 season, usually selling from February each year.
Like Mc Donald’s with Mos Burger, Starbucks Coffee also has local competitors with many Japanese pop’ culture themed cafes such as Gundam cafe, Neko cafe and even other brands like Tully's Coffee.
Starbucks Coffee concept stores
In late 2017, the brand announced the opening of a shop in Miyajima, the brand’s first to be accessible only by boat.
Starbucks also started to open shops with a traditional Japanese look, branded in English "Regional Landmark Stores" (リージョナル ランドマーク ストア), first in Kyoto (Ninenzaka) in 2017 then in Kawagoe in 2018.
