Starbucks' Top-Tier Store Designed by Kengo Kuma Opens in Tokyo’s Famous Cherry Blossom Spot

By MOOK Scenic Family, compiled and reported
 
Following Seattle, Shanghai, Milan, and New York, the world’s fifth Starbucks Reserve Roastery — “Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo” — this stunning café designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma is located beside Tokyo’s famous cherry blossom viewing spot, the Meguro River, allowing visitors to enjoy the aroma of coffee while taking in the scenery of all four seasons.

Architect Kengo Kuma used natural materials combined with artistry to create the warm and harmonious atmosphere of Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo. The building has four floors, and the open-concept design on the first floor gives an expansive and comfortable sense of space.

The first floor features a massive 17-meter-high roasting cylinder that extends from the first to the third floor, creating a spectacular sight. It is also adorned with 2,100 copper cherry blossoms, echoing the café’s location beside the famous cherry blossom spot along the Meguro River. The open bar counter allows customers to closely observe the coffee-making process and interact with the baristas.

The first floor of the store also houses the first Japanese branch of the renowned Italian bakery “Princi,” offering nearly 80 types of bread for customers to choose from, allowing them to enjoy a delightful combination of carefully selected coffee and Italian bread.

Heading up to the second floor, you can enjoy Starbucks’ tea-focused brand “Teavana,” which offers traditional Japanese sweets and tea drinks, allowing travelers to experience and savor a modern take on Tokyo’s Japanese-style tea culture.