Starbucks recently opened its latest location in Kyoto, and it’s unlike any other in the world. Located in a 100-year-old Japanese house in a traditional section of the city, it features a full Starbucks bar on the lower floor and tatami-mat rooms on the upper floor. Aesthetically, it remains true to its origins, with a traditional noren curtain hanging at the entrance, wood walls and trim, and Japanese lanterns.
Starbucks has a long and successful history in Japan. In 1996 it opened its first store outside the U.S. in the Japanese capital. Even now, its single busiest and top-selling location is located at Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya crossing. Recently it has opened Starbucks Reserve Bars in key locations in Japan, such as Ginza and Roppongi. The newest store in Kyoto is just the latest development in the Seattle-based company’s Japanese story.
