Order a coffee and enjoy a cooling platform seat — a summer-exclusive Starbucks experience in Kyoto

▲ Summer cooling platform seats. (Photo / Provided by Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau & J&T CONTENTS)

Reported by You T□ru / Compiled by HowToTrip
 
As summer draws to a close, travelers planning a trip to Japan might want to seize the opportunity to visit Kyoto. Between May and September each year, the Starbucks at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge in Kyoto sets up cooling platform seats where visitors can sip coffee while listening to the gentle sound of flowing water, enjoying the cool and relaxing vibe of the season.


▲ The Starbucks at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge in Kyoto. (Photo / Provided by Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau & J&T CONTENTS)
%ou can enjoy a coffee here while sitting on a cooling platform seat, (Image / Provided by Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau & J&T CONTENTS)




The two most famous Starbucks locations in Kyoto are the Sanjo Ohashi store and the Karasuma Rokkaku store. The Sanjo Ohashi store sets up cooling platform seats on the bridge surface from May to September each year. Normally, dining at a riverside restaurant along the Kamo River can be quite expensive, so compared to that, the more affordable Starbucks offers the chance to enjoy a cup of coffee on a cooling platform seat, feel the breeze from the Kamo River, and experience the coolness of summer — a must-try summer sensation.


▲ The “Karasuma Rokkaku Store” near Rokkaku Hall. (Photo / Provided by Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau & J&T CONTENTS)

Another must-visit Starbucks in Kyoto is the “Karasuma Rokkaku Store” near Rokkaku Hall. According to Kyoto City regulations, nothing is allowed to obstruct the view when looking toward Rokkaku Hall from Karasuma Street, so shops in this area all feature large floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing customers to enjoy their coffee while taking in the view of the classic and majestic Rokkaku Hall.

This historic Kyoto temple and coffee culture blend seamlessly, and the shop’s decor also includes various hexagonal pillars and window frames, fully integrating with the ancient Rokkaku Hall of To-ji Temple. The interior decor also changes with the seasons.

  
▲ The shop’s decor includes various hexagonal pillars and window frames, fully integrating with the ancient Rokkaku Hall of To-ji Temple. (Photo / Provided by Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau & J&T CONTENTS)

Starbucks Kyoto Sanjo Ohashi Store
Address: 113 Nakanoshima-cho, Higashi-iru, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, Omiya Building
Business hours: 08:00–23:00
Cooling platform seats available until the end of September

Starbucks Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku Store
Address: 254, Mae-cho, Nishi-iru, Higashi-doin-ji, Rokkaku-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Business hours: Weekdays 07:00–22:00, Holidays 08:00–22:00