Inside Starbucks’ new Kyoto café set inside 100-year old Japanese townhouse
Is this their most beautiful store yet?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A new Starbucks store has opened in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto and it might just be their most beautiful one yet.
The store, which opened on June 30, is located in Ninen-zaka, one of Kyoto’s many historically protected streets and set inside a renovated townhouse that was once used to host geisha.
While the building has undergone some renovation, the space retains traditional elements that mean it blends seamlessly into a city filled with traditional temples and shrines.
On the first floor, locally-made kimono silk scrolls adorn the walls, while a picturesque garden comes complete with stone water basins and sculptures.
Upstairs, three more rooms provide tatami mat seating on the floor, and per tradition, customers are asked remove their shoes and sit on cushions. It also includes a bench for those who unable to sit on the floor.
Outside, rather than a Starbucks sign to indicate its location, the café has opted for deep green noren door curtains that bear the company logo.
“Walking through the noren at the entrance and venturing inside, we want customers to experience a feeling of being inside a traditional Kyoto machiya wooden townhouse,” Takafumi Minaguchi, chief executive of Starbucks Coffee Japan, told CNN.
"As this store is in an area of great cultural significance, we feel a responsibility to be the stewards of the building’s traditional architecture and ensure that it remains an integral part of its historic neighbourhood for many years to come."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments