![[Image: Starbucks Japan]](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/flnpta0cxhdoyaou4ycd.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/flnpta0cxhdoyaou4ycd.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/flnpta0cxhdoyaou4ycd.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/flnpta0cxhdoyaou4ycd.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/flnpta0cxhdoyaou4ycd.jpg 1600w)
Does Japan have a monopoly on cool Starbucks? It can seem that way. Later this year, the country is getting yet another neat-looking one.
But first, let’s review!
Fukuoka already has this cool one.
A very nice Starbucks in Hirosaki.
And check out this Starbucks in Hiroshima.
And in Kamakura.
A Starbucks in a historic Kobe building.
Kobe Port.
This Kyoto one is lovely.
Toyama.
And in December, a new Starbucks is opening in an old building: Dogo Onsen Station. Located in Matsuyama, the building is a reconstruction of the original station built in 1911. It’s a prime example of the Western style buildings that went up during the Meiji Period.
![[Image: Toshoken]](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/rlzq5asvox8wjyffmgzm.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/rlzq5asvox8wjyffmgzm.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/rlzq5asvox8wjyffmgzm.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/rlzq5asvox8wjyffmgzm.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/rlzq5asvox8wjyffmgzm.jpg 1600w)
Via Toshoken, here is what the building looks like before it’s turned into a Starbucks. (You can see concept art for the finished coffee shop in the top photo.)
![[Image: Starbucks Japan]](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/rbkxnqwoltpmjzrurrbj.png 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/rbkxnqwoltpmjzrurrbj.png 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/rbkxnqwoltpmjzrurrbj.png 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/rbkxnqwoltpmjzrurrbj.png 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/rbkxnqwoltpmjzrurrbj.png 1600w)
![[Image: Starbucks Japan]](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/g4x9x3u391u0lathsvtr.png 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/g4x9x3u391u0lathsvtr.png 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/g4x9x3u391u0lathsvtr.png 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/g4x9x3u391u0lathsvtr.png 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/g4x9x3u391u0lathsvtr.png 1600w)
And here’s how the inside will look.
Hopefully, the ghost people won’t be there when this Starbucks opens on December 22.
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DISCUSSION
I really like how the brand logo and name isn’t splattered across the front of the store in almost all of these cases.
I’ve been to a few starbucks in old buildings in Europe, but its always the same store outside and inside. Huge starbucks banner and logo outside, same furniture style inside.
I wonder why the “cool” starbucks seem exclusive to Asia?