![[Image: Starbucks via Fashion Press]](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/pptu56ryqpaihouqgyca.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/pptu56ryqpaihouqgyca.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/pptu56ryqpaihouqgyca.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/pptu56ryqpaihouqgyca.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/pptu56ryqpaihouqgyca.jpg 1600w)
One of the best-preserved streets in Kyoto is Ninen-zaka. A Starbucks just opened in the area, but you could walk by and not even know it.
It looks like the only way you’d know it was a Starbucks is by the noren, or the curtain hanging out front, with the chain’s logo.
![[Image: Starbucks via Fashion Press]](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/ouduy81tusiflyydduv5.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/ouduy81tusiflyydduv5.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/ouduy81tusiflyydduv5.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/ouduy81tusiflyydduv5.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/ouduy81tusiflyydduv5.jpg 1600w)
Opening on June 30, the Starbucks is located in a Edo Period (1603 to 1868) building that dates from the mid-1700s. Via Fashion Press, let’s have a look inside:
![[Image: Starbucks via Fashion Press]](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/bpddjo3gef0mt4cnss5d.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/bpddjo3gef0mt4cnss5d.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/bpddjo3gef0mt4cnss5d.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/bpddjo3gef0mt4cnss5d.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/bpddjo3gef0mt4cnss5d.jpg 1600w)
Certain parts of Kyoto have strict regulations so as not to disturb the visual landscape. For example, vending machines are sometimes brown instead of starker colors like white or red.
![[Image: Starbucks via Fashion Press]](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/f3xwebov4ucp0luepocm.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/f3xwebov4ucp0luepocm.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/f3xwebov4ucp0luepocm.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/f3xwebov4ucp0luepocm.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/f3xwebov4ucp0luepocm.jpg 1600w)
What a nice counter.
![[Image: Starbucks via Fashion Press]](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/sxa2hzy2vn9kdomw20hu.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/sxa2hzy2vn9kdomw20hu.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/sxa2hzy2vn9kdomw20hu.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/sxa2hzy2vn9kdomw20hu.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/sxa2hzy2vn9kdomw20hu.jpg 1600w)
The second floor has some traditional Japanese cushions for sitting and enjoying coffee.
Japan—and Asia, in general—is home to several Starbucks that don’t look like Starbucks.
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DISCUSSION
Weirdness aside, do any other Americans get jealous of nations with “building history”?
I mean there’s a pub in England that you can go to right now, that CS Lewis and Tolkien went to together for what was essentially a writers group, and that’s probably one of England’s least historic buildings.