Japan's Amazing Starbucks Coffee Locations! Six Unique Stores

An international brand, Starbucks Coffee is widely available in Japan as well, and has many regional and seasonal based drinks that are only found in Japan too.

But Starbucks has taken things one step further and created concept stores across the nation as well. These concept stores are very different from your average coffee shop - they are built in historical buildings, or have been designed entirely to accommodate or match their surroundings. Everything down to the finest details has been arranged just so in these shops, which make them a great place to check out if you need a caffeine fix during your sightseeing adventures.

Kobe Kitano Ijinkan - Starbucks Coffee's First Concept Shop in Kobe

From: Starbucks Kobe Kitano Ijinkan: Have Coffee In A Tangible Heritage Site

Kobe's Starbucks Coffee Kitano Ijinkan branch, can be found in a Western-style building in the Kitano district of Kobe in Hyogo prefecture. The building itself is a historical structure, which makes this one of the particularly unusual Starbucks concept stores in Japan. This building, called the Kitano Monogatari-kan, was built in 1907, and is a registered Tangible Cultural Property.

The building was severely damaged by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, and as such was meant to be torn down. However, Kobe City managed to keep a hold of the various building components, and the place was rebuilt in 2001 thanks to the efforts of the citizens of Kobe. It was then reopened as a Starbucks Coffee concept store in 2009.

Starbucks Coffee Meriken Park - The Second Concept Store in Kobe

From: Savor Coffee By The Sea At Starbucks In Kobe's Meriken Park

In part of Kobe's Meriken Park, from which you can see the 150 year old Port of Kobe, the Starbucks Coffee Kobe Meriken Park branch opened in April 2017. This is not only the largest Starbucks in western Japan, and the first Starbucks to be opened in a park in Kansai, but also Kobe's second concept Starbucks.

Originally a ship harbor, this area was filled in to create Meriken Park, but traces of its nautical past can be seen here and there throughout the park, and this Starbucks was designed as a place to relax, as though you were on a cruise through the harbor.

What makes this shop even more distinctive is the use of hishibuki (traditional metal plates) in its construction; these diamond patterned metal plates resemble the scales on a fish, or even a mermaid, further tying in the concept of Starbucks with that of the harbor location.

Starbucks Coffee's Second Concept Shop in Japan - in Hirosaki, Aomori

From: A Retro Atmosphere At Starbucks Coffee In Hirosaki, Aomori

Hirosaki Koen Mae's Starbucks Coffee Shop is the second Starbucks in Japan to set up shop in a Tangible Cultural Property. Aomori prefecture's Hirosaki city, where this Starbucks is located, is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, with visitors from around the world coming here each spring to see the sakura both in and around Hirosaki Castle.

The building which houses Hirosaki Koen Mae Starbucks Coffee shop, was built in 1918 during the Taisho era. It was called Daihachi Dancho Kansha, the "Official residence for the commander of the Japanese 8th division". In 1951 it was sold to the city and used as the mayor's residence, then in 2003 it was recognized as one of Japan's Tangible Cultural Assets.

Hoping to make use of the building's unique structure and features, the city of Hirosaki ultimately accepted Starbuck's proposal for a historical cafe, and this concept shop opened in April 2015.

Fukuoka's Starbucks Dazaifu Tenmangu - Designed by Kengo Kuma

Wonderful Woodwork At Starbucks Dazaifu Tenmangu Fukuoka

Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, the theme of the Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Store in Fukuoka is the "fusion of the traditional and the modern using natural materials", which is readily apparent from the use of kigumi woodwork - a traditional framework method that doesn't require nails, instead cutting and slotting the wood together.

The interior walls are covered in this framework, which at first may look unstable, but these boards are tightly fitted together and almost impossible to shift.

Located just a few minutes' walk away from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, this concept store is surrounded by souvenir shops, so it is a very popular yet comfortable place to stop and take a break in Fukuoka.

Enjoy Amazing Views - Toyama's Kansui Park Starbucks

From: Naturally Fits Right In: Toyama's Beautiful Starbucks Coffee Store

Toyama is located in the Hokuriku region of Japan, and thanks to the opening of the Hokuriku shinkansen in 2015, traveling between Toyama and Tokyo is now possible in about two hours. It's a beautiful city that boasts delicious seafood from the Toyama Bay, natural surroundings, and a view of the Tateyama Mountain Range.

The Starbucks Coffee Toyama Kansui Park is just a 15 minute walk from JR Toyama Station. This concept shop has large, floor to ceiling glass windows, which give it plenty of natural sunlight, and make it a wonderful place to view the seasons in the park from. From their pet-friendly terrace, visitors can enjoy views of the park's iconic Tenmonkyo Bridge, which also has its own observation towers for the city.

Sip Your Starbucks on Tatami - Kyoto's First Machiya Starbucks Concept Shop

From: The World's First Tatami Starbucks! Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya

Found in the ever popular ancient capital of Kyoto, the Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya store opened on June 30th, 2017, and is the first Starbucks located in a traditional Japanese house. Found on Ninenzaka, the famous hill leading to Kiyomizudera Temple, one of Kyoto's many World Heritage sites, this concept shop took ten years to develop, construct and open.

While Kyoto already has various concept stores where visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese atmospheres, such as the Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku store near Rokkakudo, the temple where ikebana originated, as well as the Kyoto Sanjo Ohashi shop by the Kamo River, this concept store took the idea of conveying Kyoto's traditional culture a step further.

There are gardens, tatami seats, calligraphy displays, ikebana, and much, much more awaiting visitors inside. You'd better arrive early though if you'd like a seat here, as queuing outside this Starbucks is strictly prohibited.

If you find yourself in need of a caffeine fix during your travels, then why not stop at a place that's dedicated itself to furthering the culture of the community? Please check out these concept Starbucks stores if you're in the area - you won't regret it!