World’s Most Beautiful Starbucks
Created and Produced by John Daub
ONLY in JAPAN
Welcome to Toyama
This is Fuganuga Kansui Park
and THAT behind me is
no ordinary Starbucks
That’s what many consider to be
the world’s most beautiful Starbucks
and it’s easy to see why!
Just look at the building.
or cafe!
It’s all high glass windows overlooking a lake in a park.
It’s also in one of Japan’s most natural prefecture
along the sea of Japan
Toyama
Kansui Park is just a 10 minute walk from the train station.
The cafe is sort of the only building in the park.
It’s a community area where locals come to
enjoy nature in the city.
It’s got beautiful golf-course like grass
that slopes towards the lake, perfect for picnicking.
And that deck
– or is it a balcony?
It’s the perfect place to sit and take it all in.
Or go inside!
With those windows, you won’t miss the view.
Bring your dog!
This is 13 year old Hanachan,
and she’s making a day of it on the deck.
This is a popular photo and selfie spot.
You want to get your drink in
with the building in the background.
It’s also popular with coffee drinkers – like me.
When you don’t have your own deck, you can borrow this one.
It’s the view and fresh air that also make this place beautiful.
The early evening sky draped behind the Japanese alps
turns purple to night.
At night, It’s the brightest place in the park.
Well, except for that bridge.
What makes this place the most beautiful Starbucks
is more than just the building itself.
It’s where it is, what surrounds it
and limitless freedom of it’s design.
To me, it seems like more than just a chain coffee shop.
But yeah, there are others, like this one in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
Right on the water front, this spacious building fits right into its surroundings.
Fireplace! It gets cold here.
Wide wooden stairs.
Natural hard wood floors.
A deck overlooking Hakodate Bay
to the mountains on the other side.
An inviting Hokkaido warehouse
that many call the coziest Starbucks in the world.
In Tokyo, Shibuya’s Hachiko Scramble is
home to one of the busiest locations anywhere.
Across from Shibuya Station,
this one has one of the best views
of the world’s most famous pedestrian crossing.
I love Omotesando’s Tokyu Plaza Starbucks.
It’s a secret place on the top floor
that has lounge chairs – and a city view.
You’ll find shops all over the place!
Starbucks in Japan has been here as long as me,
give or take a year.
The first shop opened in Ginza in 1996.
One of my favorite places in Tokyo is Ueno
and the park and yeah –
there’s one there too.
And I love it.
It’s quite busy, no secret like the one in Omotesando but still ー
surrounded by trees and people.
It’s a mini escape from the traffic just a hundred meters away.
Toyama has some competition for
the most beautiful Starbucks!
In June 2017,
a store opened in the heart of Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district,
just a short walk from Kiyomizudera Temple.
It fits right in,
hard to tell it’s a Starbucks at all
Until you see that sign.
I was one of the first 50 people in
on opening day for a quick look around the Nineizaka store.
From the beautiful wooden counters
to the shoji paper door lined corridors,
it’s all Japanese style.
And full of surprises!
Wait, so you’re from Seattle, you said?
Um-hum.
That’s where Starbucks is from
Yeah.
And this is more beautiful than any
Starbucksthat you’ve seen where — Starbucks was born.
I think, YEAH! Probably!
Tatami areas require you to take off your shoes.
Sit on mats on the floor, relax
and sip your matcha—
latte.
Or coffee!
That’s what I like.
It’s a traditional place open to all, beautiful and casual.
Japan is loaded with coffee shops and it’s nice to visit them all
but there is something special about this.
The architecture, the design, the décor, the colors —
Love it or hate it, it intrigues almost everyone to step in.
Which is why I can say that I believe
the most beautiful Starbucks in the world
is right here in Japan.
Boy, what an experience that was!
That might be one of the most beautiful
Starbucks in the world
So —
Whether you’re going to the one in Toyama
or to the one in Tokyo
or to the one here, in Kyoto
Starbucks here in Japan —
I have to admit it
It’s pretty cool.
The healthiest snack in the world, EDAMAME
is more popular than ever
and that made me wonder where it came from.
Next time, we’ll take a trip to an edamame farm,
harvest and eat some of Japan’s best.
What makes good edamame?
We’re about to find out.