These Stunningly Designed Starbucks In The Far East Are Worth Visiting

If you visit just one Starbucks in Asia, it should be the new Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya location, which opens June 30th. An American coffee shop may be the last destination on your mind with so much to see and do in Japan’s ancient imperial capital, but the new Kyoto branch of Starbucks is uniquely designed to showcase the historic street on which it’s located. It’s just one of several concept stores in East Asia that will transform your image of the global coffee chain.

1. Starbucks Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya Branch

Cafe, Contemporary

A noren is a traditional divided curtain hung across the entrance of a shop or restaurant. During the Edo period, customers would wipe their hands on the curtain as they exited a restaurant, so a dirty noren was the sign of a popular business. While no one is expected to wipe their hands on the new Kyoto branch’s noren curtain, it’s certain to attractappreciation with its traditional aesthetic.

2. Starbucks Bangka Xiyuan Branch

Cafe, Contemporary, Coffee

Bangka Xiyuan Starbucks courtesy of Edelman

3. Starbucks Famille Park Branch

Cafe, Contemporary, Coffee

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the first Starbucks opening in Korea, the company opened a stunning new concept store in the Seocho district of Seoul. The geometric glass dome is meant to invoke the feel of an urban coffee forest, and the interior of the location features eco-friendly materials as well as potted coffee trees for greenery.

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