Japanese people love Starbucks.

They’re basically everywhere in cities like Tokyo, just like in the US.

If you search for “スタバ” on Instagram or X (Twitter), you will find many posts of Starbucks beverages and drink modifications posted by Japanese people.

I was a frequent customer of Starbucks when I was in Japan.

I use Starbucks in the US too, and there are a few subtle differences between them. For example, the Venti (20 oz) is the largest size in Japan, while there is one size bigger, the Trenta (31 oz), in the US. Drinks are also made with less sugar in Japan to cater to Japanese preferences. But the biggest difference I feel is that Japanese people like Starbucks a lot more than American people do.

In this post, I will share a few personal opinions on why Starbucks is so popular in Japan. Other Japanese people may have different opinions, but here is one authentic perspective by someone who worked at Starbucks in Japan for three years.

As someone who grew up in Japan, we tend to romanticize everything foreign. From fashion to food to entertainment, we often perceive things that come from abroad, especially Western countries, as something exotic and luxurious.

(That being said, I think it’s a two-way street. Many Western countries also romanticize aspects of Japanese culture – things like anime, sushi, traditional aesthetics. It’s almost like an exchange of idealized images, where each side finds something fascinating in the other.)

Starbucks is no exception. One reason many Japanese people love Starbucks so much is simply because we love to be a part of this “cool” brand (either as staff or customers) that came from Seattle, the coffee capital in the US.

This makes Starbucks one of the most popular and competitive part-time job options for Japanese college students. HR NOTE conducted a survey to understand which brand young people want to work for and concluded that Starbucks was the most popular brand, followed by Tokyo Disney Land and Universal Studio Japan. PR TIMES conduced a similar survey and also concluded that Starbucks was the top, followed by Seven Eleven and Tokyo Disney Land.

In my case, I loved working there as I got to meet so many wonderful coworkers and customers who I still keep in touch with well after five years. But I must admit, part of me felt “cool” because I worked at Starbucks. Put it nicely, I was very proud of being a part of this brand, and I am sure many others who worked or are working at Starbucks Japan feel the same way.

Each store typically has 1-3 full-time employees, with the rest being all part-timers. They are usually very happy and enjoy working at Starbucks (at least the people at our store and my friends at other locations), which contributes to a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere and high-quality service. The mood is contagious.

Due to these factors, along with the calming interior design and music, many customers become regulars – not just to get their usual but also to enjoy the whole experience, including interactions with staff. High school students come in for drinks and see Starbucks workers shining, and it makes them want to work at Starbucks when they become college students or adults. The company does a great job maintaining this cycle.

How Japanese people react to Starbucks merchandise is another way they show love for the brand. Starbucks Japan usually offers a selection of seasonal merchandise, such as tumblers and mugs, at the same time they release seasonal foods and beverages. The Sakura (cherry blossom) selection in spring is one of the most popular ones. People wait in huge lines hours before open in order to secure these goods on the first day of the release.

While I personally find Starbucks’s black coffee a little too dark, many Japanese people enjoy a variety of drinks, from regular lattes to caramel macchiatos to mochas to Frappuccinos. These beverages are simply tasty and consistent no matter which location you visit. As a Starbucks user in both Japan and the US, Japan wins in terms of consistency and high-quality.

They also frequently offer new and seasonal drinks that look fancy and never disappoint, bringing customers back again and again. Starbucks Japan also offers a slightly different menu from the US, with some drinks only available in Japan, such as the Yuzu Citrus Tea and Hojicha.

The Yuzu Citrus Tea is my favorite beverage from Starbucks Japan. I get it every time I go back to Japan.

Starbucks’ “third place” concept is very popular. It is the idea of creating a space that is neither home (first place) nor work (second place), but a comfortable in-between space where people can relax, socialize, or work. Starbucks has been very successful in embracing this concept in Japan, unlike in the US, where the interior design is usually not comfortable to stay longer (purposely or not) and encourages customer turnover.

While both the US and Japan have Starbucks Reserve Stores and Roasteries, which offer a different experience from regular stores, Starbucks Japan has several concept stores that people love to visit repeatedly to enjoy not just coffee but also the whole experience.  

Starbucks’ regional landmark stores blend Starbucks’ global brand with local architecture, culture, and history. These stores are designed to reflect the beauty and tradition of their surroundings, often using local materials and craftsmanship.  

Starbucks has been excellent at taking its international brand and infusing it with local culture and aesthetics. These locations go beyond being just a coffee shop – they’ve become travel destinations in their own right. Even Japanese people seek them out to experience a Starbucks that feels a little different, a little more exclusive, and deeply connected to the region.

Starbucks’s ability to create a familiar yet unique experience enhances the travel experience, and it makes people feel both comforted by what they know and excited by what’s new. It’s this perfect balance between familiarity and novelty that keeps people coming back, not just for the coffee but for the experience.

Here are some of the most famous ones (images are all from Starbucks’ official website):

Have you visited any of them? Or is there one that interests you the most? Their official website lists all regional landmark stores (right-click anywhere on the page and you can translate it into English). If your travel destination has a Starbucks regional landmark store, you may want to consider adding it to your go-to list.

Starbucks partnered with Culture Convenience Club, a Japanese retail company, best known for its TSUTAYA BOOKS chain which offers books, magazines, DVDs, etc., and has developed stores that combine Starbucks stores and TSUTAYA book sales floors (similar to Starbucks inside Barnes & Nobels in the US). These locations aim to be comfortable spaces where people can spend hours reading, working, or relaxing, all while enjoying Starbucks coffee. People love this unique and luxurious book-and-café experience.

Here are some of the most famous ones (images are all from Tsutaya’s official website):

I used to go to the Futako-tamagawa location all the time when I was in Japan. It wasn’t close (about 30-minute walk and train ride), but this location was my favorite place to study. I would spend hours with two or three drinks. The larger locations like Daikanyama T-Site, Shibuya Tsutaya, and Futako-tamagawa carry a selection of English books too. So if you love the book-and-café lifestyle, these locations are worth visiting.  

Starbucks has become more than just a coffee shop in Japan – it’s a cultural phenomenon that blends global appeal with local charm. From its consistent, high-quality drinks to its concept stores. Whether it’s the brand’s “cool factor,” its unique seasonal offerings, or its reginal landmark stores, Starbucks Japan has successfully captivated Japanese customers in ways that feel both comfortable and exciting.

You may not be a Starbucks customer in the US, but if you are planning to visit Japan, it’s worth experiencing the local Starbucks culture for yourself. That said, Japan also boasts many other excellent coffee shops (both independent and chain). If you are a coffee lover, you could easily spend days exploring them one by one.