Starbucks Japan: Explore the Most Unique Cafes

Japan might be famous for its tea traditions, but did you know it’s also one of the biggest coffee-loving countries in the world? With over 1,000 Starbucks Japan stores nationwide, there are plenty of charming places to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. Let’s check out some locations below!

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo opened in Nakameguro in February 2019. This is one of the biggest Starbucks roasteries in the world! The four-story building is beautiful and was designed by a famous Japanese architect named Kengo Kuma. In the middle, a giant shiny copper tower reaches four stories high. It’s surrounded by over 2,000 tiny copper cherry blossoms, just like the ones blooming outside in spring!

On the first floor, you can smell roasted coffee and see beans zooming through pipes. A big coffee bar is where friendly baristas make special drinks using cool methods like French press and cold brew. They even have coffee flights so that you can taste different flavors worldwide. Next to the bar is the Princi Bakery, where you’ll find breads, pizzas, and sweet treats.

If you head to the second floor, it’s all about tea! At Teavana Tea Bar! You can try fun flavors like Strawberry Mint Oolong or the super cute and yummy Cream Soda Matcha with vanilla ice cream on top. There’s also a shop where you can buy tea leaves and adorable cups at home.

Climb up to the third floor and you’ll find the Arriviamo Bar, where they mix excellent coffee and tea into sparkly cocktails. You can enjoy drinks outside on the pretty terrace, especially during cherry blossom season. Finally, on the top floor, there’s a peaceful place called the Amu Inspiration Lounge where events happen. Visitors can also watch beans being packed up for coffee shops all across Japan.

Starbucks Dazaifu

Just a few steps from Fukuoka‘s famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Starbucks Dazaifu feels like a magical wooden tunnel! This cozy cafe is nestled right on the path where visitors walk to the shrine. Unlike a regular coffee shop, it looks as if it’s made of thousands of wooden sticks woven together into a giant puzzle! The wood is all real cedar, and about 2,000 wooden pieces are inside. This building was also designed by Kengo Kuma.

The inside is warm and peaceful, with soft lights and wooden decorations. Outside, there’s a little terrace, so you can enjoy the fresh air and take in the view. This is one of Japan’s Regional Landmark Stores, built to showcase the exceptional beauty of the local area. They sell some special mugs and tumblers that are only found in Fukuoka! Some designs even use Hakata-ori, a traditional fabric pattern. 

Are you looking for great snacks to enjoy on your coffee break? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Japanese treats directly from Japan!

Starbucks Kamakura Onarimachi

Starbucks Kamakura Onarimachi is located on the site that used to be the home of Ryuichi Yokoyama, a renowned Japanese manga artist. This unique Starbucks Japan store offers a relaxing environment by the pool that was once part of the manga artist’s garden.

The cafe has a warm and peaceful vibe, with lots of pretty wood everywhere—on the floor, the ceiling, and even outside on the big veranda. One side of the shop is made almost entirely of glass, so it’s bright and full of light. Sitting outside, you can enjoy comfy cushions and little tatami mats while admiring the pool and cherry trees.

Starbucks Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori

Starbucks Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori invites you into a dreamy blend of old Japan and modern cafe comfort! This charming store lies in Kawagoe’s historical Kanetsuki-dori Street, just a short walk from the well-known Toki no Kane bell tower.

The street is known as “Little Edo” since it looks like Japan did centuries ago. The Starbucks building fits right in! It’s made of local cedar wood with a tiled roof, resembling the traditional kura (warehouses) from the Edo period (1603-1868). Even the logo got a cute makeover, printed in soft black and white on a traditional-style curtain!!

Inside, you can sit on benches with cushions made from Kawagoe tozan, a colorful kimono fabric. The cords tying the cushions are decorated with a lovely ume musubi knot, which means a strong and happy connection! You can also sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the peaceful Japanese garden.

Starbucks Hirosaki Koenmae

Across the street from Hirosaki Park in Aomori, there’s a lovely Starbucks Japan store called Starbucks Hirosaki Koenmae. The cafe lives inside a white house built in 1917 for an army commander. Today, the house is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, and you can still see its tall pointed roof, long windows, and neat wooden trim from the Taisho era (1912-1926). 

Step inside and you’ll spot the shiny moat of Hirosaki Castle through the large glass windows. Here, you can relax on comfy sofas with cushions stitched in local designs. Tucked at the back, a tiny Japanese garden peeks through shoji screens. Don’t forget the souvenir shelf! You can buy shiny Tsugaru Vidro glass tumblers, mugs painted with castle motifs, and spring-only cherry-blossom tumblers. 

Why should I visit these cool Starbucks Japan stores?

These cafes reflect the beauty, culture, and spirit of each place they call home. From Tokyo to Aomori, each one tells a different story through thoughtful design, local materials, and small cultural details that help connect visitors with the region.

Overall, these spaces are for grabbing a drink and experiencing how a global brand like Starbucks Japan adapts and respects local traditions. They gently remind us to slow down, look around, and feel more in touch with our surroundings. So, which spot would you like to explore first? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Cited Sources

• Kengo Kuma & Associates. “Starbucks Coffee at Dazaifutenmangu Omotesando“.
• The Japan News. “Starbucks Employees in Aomori Pref. Learn to Prune Apple Trees, as Company Seeks to Promote Local Apples“.
• Kengo Kuma & Associates. “Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo“.