Unique Starbucks Stores in Japan: Tradition Meets Coffee Culture

Culture Notes

24 July

Starbucks Japan offers more than just coffee—it's a cultural experience. Since opening its first Tokyo location in 1996, the global coffeehouse giant has flourished across Japan, blending seamlessly into both ultra-modern and deeply traditional landscapes.

From panoramic city views to serene tatami rooms, here are some of the most unique Starbucks locations in Japan that every traveler should visit.

Starbucks overlooking Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo with panoramic street views and glass-front exterior

Warehouse-style Starbucks in Kawagoe with kura-inspired architecture and traditional Japanese design

Traditional-style Starbucks near Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto with tatami seating and wooden storefront

Starbucks café inside Hana-Biyori greenhouse at Yomiuriland surrounded by plants and floral displays

🏙️ Starbucks at Shibuya Crossing – Tokyo’s Iconic View (Tokyo)

Located above the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, this Starbucks offers a front-row seat to one of the busiest pedestrian intersections on the planet. Whether you're snapping photos or people-watching with a latte in hand, it’s a must-visit stop in Tokyo.

📸 Tip: Arrive early for a window seat overlooking the scramble!

🏯 Starbucks in Kawagoe – A Warehouse-Style Retreat (Saitama)

Located in the historic streets of Kawagoe, known as "Little Edo," this Starbucks on Kanetsuki-dori blends seamlessly with its traditional surroundings. Housed in a classic kura-style warehouse, it features local cedarwood, tiled roofing, and interior elements made with Kawagoe tozan fabric and ume-musubi cords. A tranquil Japanese garden at the rear offers a peaceful space to enjoy your coffee just steps from the iconic Toki no Kane bell tower.

🏯 Starbucks at Kiyomizu-dera – Kyoto’s Traditional Teahouse Vibe (Kyoto)

In Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, this Starbucks near Kiyomizu-dera Temple is unlike any other. Designed like a traditional Japanese machiya, the space features tatami mats, wooden beams, and sliding shoji doors, offering a quiet, cultural retreat in the heart of the city.

This is the first Starbucks in the world with tatami seating, making it an ideal stop after visiting Kyoto’s temples and historic streets.

🌸 Starbucks in Hana-Biyori Greenhouse – Nature Meets Modern Café (Tokyo/Yomiuriland)

At Yomiuriland’s Hana-Biyori botanical garden in Tokyo, you'll find a Starbucks set inside a lush greenhouse café surrounded by blooming flowers, waterfalls, and glass walls. The peaceful, garden-style atmosphere is perfect for coffee lovers looking to unwind in a truly photogenic location.

Starbucks Meets Tsutaya Books: Japan’s Most Beautiful Book Café Experience

In Japan, few pairings are more iconic than Starbucks and Tsutaya Books. This collaboration combines the warm, inviting atmosphere of a coffeehouse with the quiet sophistication of a curated bookstore, creating one of Japan’s most beloved café experiences for both locals and travelers.

🛋️ What Is Tsutaya Books?

Tsutaya Books is a renowned Japanese bookstore chain known for its beautifully designed spaces, wide selection of books, art magazines, and lifestyle goods. Many locations also feature music, film, stationery, and gallery spaces—transforming the bookstore into a multi-sensory cultural hub.

When Starbucks Japan partnered with Tsutaya Books, the result was a stylish blend of reading, relaxing, and sipping coffee—an elevated book café experience where visitors can browse shelves freely with a drink in hand.

Interior of Ginza Tsutaya Books in GINZA SIX with Starbucks café and art book displays

Starbucks café inside Daikanyama Tsutaya Books, surrounded by books and modern architecture

Multi-level Tsutaya Books at Hirakata T-Site with Starbucks café and open reading spaces

⭐ Ginza Tsutaya Books (GINZA SIX, Tokyo)

Located inside GINZA SIX, Tokyo’s most luxurious shopping complex, this branch is an art lover’s paradise. Ginza Tsutaya Books features an extensive collection of fine art books, photography, architecture, and rare publications. The attached Starbucks café is elegantly tucked into the store, offering a quiet, design-forward space to unwind among first-edition prints and curated exhibitions.

📚 Daikanyama T-Site (Tsutaya Daikanyama, Tokyo)

Often described as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, Daikanyama T-Site is a landmark lifestyle complex. Inside, you’ll find a sprawling Starbucks lounge where visitors read, work, or enjoy a coffee among books, vinyl records, and vintage magazines. The open layout, natural light, and refined atmosphere make it a favorite among Tokyo’s creatives.

📖 Hirakata T-Site (Osaka Prefecture)

Situated in the heart of Hirakata City, this multi-floor concept store combines books, fashion, children’s learning spaces, and of course, a stylish Starbucks café with seating that spans across the book floors. It’s family-friendly, modern, and highly Instagrammable.

🎌 Why Starbucks Japan is Worth Visiting

Starbucks in Japan goes far beyond the usual menu. These stores:

Adapt architecture to reflect local culture
Integrate seamlessly with scenic or historic surroundings
Offer exclusive drinks and regionally inspired treats
Enjoy a drink while browsing premium art & design books
Relax in one of Japan’s most aesthetic café environments
Experience modern Japanese lifestyle culture in a single space
Find location-exclusive merchandise, gifts, and stationery

Whether you’re looking for quiet reflection, work inspiration, or a beautifully designed break from sightseeing, Starbucks x Tsutaya Books locations offer a perfect pause in your Japan itinerary.

✨ What’s Your Favorite Starbucks in Japan?

Whether you prefer a peaceful tatami room or a view over Tokyo’s busiest street, Starbucks Japan continues to surprise visitors with its thoughtful design and cultural fusion. Which location are you adding to your itinerary?