Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks - Kyoto

Months prior to our visit to Japan, my wife tagged me to a trending post on Facebook about this unique Starbucks store in Kyoto City. This Starbucks branch was dubbed the "Edo-style Starbucks." 

Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks

The said post piqued my interest as I was crafting our Kyoto City itinerary during that time. I then made sure to include it in the said itinerary and as a matter of fact, I placed it on our first-day plans. Before I write about what happened next, let's first discover the good-to-know information about this Starbucks store.

You'd surely miss it if you don't know where it is...

I had to ask around to find it. 

Yup, I'm in the right place!

Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks - Kyoto City

Edo-Style Starbucks History

The Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya, better known as the tatami-styled Starbucks is located at Kyoto-shi Higashiyama-ku Kodaiji Minami-dori Shimogawara Higashi Ino Masuya-cho 349, Masayacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 605-0826, Japan (Whew). It opened on June 30, 2017, after 10 years of thorough planning and restoration. The store was incorporated into a 2-story 100-year-old traditional Japanese townhouse found in the historic Ninenzaka street.  When it opened, it took the honor of being the first tatami-style Starbucks in the world. 

The tsukubai in one of the gardens...

The Zen garden at the backside of Starbucks

Welcome to Starbucks

Now, going back to our plan... I'm proud to share with you that it really came to fruition. We visited Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya in the afternoon of the 4th day of our 2018 Japan. We were a bit lucky as there were available seats for 5 in the store despite the legion of tourists in the area. 

The interior remained faithful to its theme

Let's check out the second floor

Upon entering the store, one would notice that the "modern cafe" is beautifully integrated into the traditionally styled interior. The first floor has a bar counter and an area to accommodate a few customers. There are also three courtyards, each with gardens and tsukubai(s) or wash bin like a decoration that is usually found in a tea garden. 

Coffee Edo-style!

Enjoyed it with our Japanese family

Team Nicerio visits Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks

We finally visited Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks! 

The second floor contains 3 rooms with tatami mats and zabuton cushions. Just like a traditional Japanese house, customers need to remove their footwear when entering these rooms. We got to sip our coffee in one of the rooms here together with two other groups of customers. Surprisingly, you won't hear the noise from the busy street outside when inside the room. However, what almost ruined our experience were the noisy roommates that were occupying the table behind us. Thankfully, they left and a "quieter" group took their place. 

Bought another tumbler for my collection

Till next time!

A trip to Starbucks won't be complete without buying a Kyoto City Tumbler for my growing collection...

Overall, our visit to Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya was a memorable one. After our visit, I still had that feeling of disbelief that I have visited a place that I have seen from a trending post on Facebook months ago. It was truly worth it!

Why visit Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks?

If you're like us who enjoy Starbucks Coffee and love Japanese culture, then a visit to Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks is a must-do when you are in Kyoto City. Who wouldn't love sipping their favorite coffee inside an authentic traditional Japanese house?

Getting to Kyoto's Edo Style Starbucks:

From Kyoto Station, ride bus #206 and board down at the Kiyomizu-Michi bus stop. From there walk through Sannenzaka District until you reach Ninenzaka District where this Starbuck Branch is located.

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