Starbucks goes Japanese! Located in a traditional 2-floor machiya that was built over 100 years ago, the Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya is without a doubt the prettiest Starbucks location I have ever seen. Here you can experience the elegance of a classic Japanese tearoom while also just sip on your favorite Caramel Frappuccino or Chai Latte. Keep on reading to find out more about the world’s first Japanese-style Starbucks designed with tatami flooring and noren curtains in Kyoto!
We actually stumbled upon this Starbucks after visiting the Hōkan-ji Temple in Kyoto. It is just a 3-minute walk away from the temple and it’s a gorgeous place to rest with your favorite Starbucks drink while experiencing a classic Japanese tearoom with tatami flooring.
Inside the Japanese Starbucks
On the first floor you will find the bar where you order your snacks and drinks, as well as a beautiful inner garden and a long hallway with a lot of sunlight. On the second floor, you can sit down on either normal chairs (but hey, that would be very boring!) or you can rest on a cushion in one of the three spaces with tatami flooring. Don’t forget to take off your shoes before stepping on the tatami flooring!
We ordered a Green Apple Frappuccino and iced coffee with a donut. The baristas were already smiling at us once we entered the shop and they were so proud when we decided to order a donut right after they gave us a little piece to taste first. We just HAD to order the donut after they had been so friendly haha. And of course we wanted to try the Japanese cushions on the tatami flooring. I have to admit that it’s not the most comfortable way to sit when you’re wearing a short dress, but I’m glad I still did it! The place looked breathtaking and we would have definitely stayed here a little longer if it wasn’t already getting dark outside.
Address and opening hours
You do have to look carefully for this store, because the exterior blends in perfectly with the surrounding Japanese houses and there is no big neon sign on the outside. It does not look like your typical Starbucks at all, but that’s what makes it such an unique experience! Just search for an entrance with indigo noren curtains and a Starbucks logo printed on it. But if you need a little help from Google Maps (don’t worry, I got you!), you can search for the following address or click on THIS LINK: Minamimon-dori Kodaiji Higashiyama-ku 349 Masuyacho Shimogawara-Higashiiru Kyoto 605-0826
Opening hours: every day from 08:00 – 20.00.
The shop does ask customers to please NOT line up in front of the shop as it will cause inconvenience for the neighbourhood and people passing by. So keep this in mind if you want to visit this Starbucks location. We went at the end of the day (around 18.00 I think). It was very quiet at that time, so it might be a good idea not to visit the shop during busy hours in the middle of the day.
Xxx Kirsten ♥
