A different take

Given what we felt was a very limited time to travel Japan, we had to maximize and make the best out of our stay in Kyoto. One of the places we've had in mind was the Starbucks covered up as a traditional building/house in Kyoto's popular geisha district, Gion.


We saw this at one of the YouTube videos prior to our travel. It was packed when we got there on a midday after a long walk coming from Fushimi Inari Taisha. It was not easy to find as everything is subdued to keep the look and standard of the town. There was not your typical green sign big enough to see from afar. The coffee shop was huge by Japanese standards and the volume of customers was just too much on a Sunday. What sets this Starbucks branch apart from the regular ones was the tatami section depicting the Japanese tradition. The tatami section was located on the upper level and relatively smaller in person compared to what we saw on the YouTube video. To gain a spot, you must arrive very early in the morning. Needless to say, we did not get our chance.


Honestly, nothing was really out of the ordinary except for the ambience. They still serve their regular coffee and pastries. The only real attraction was the tatami seating accommodation on the second floor. You get your coffee/order at the back of the store.


Food: They carry the regular Starbucks menu items
Parking: None
Address: starbucks 349 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan