Starbucks Japan's Secret to Success: Limited Editions and Exclusive Of

If you ask someone what the best way to start their day is, they will say coffee. Coffee is the thin, liquid line that separates us from being the living dead; it is our main living source, the thing that drives us every day. So, who is the cult leader that brings life to us every day? The one and only wavy-haired green Siren - Starbucks. The iconic Starbucks can subside any caffeine cravings whether you like your coffee black, bold, or sweetened to death. Easily satisfy these cravings with Sugoi Mart's extensive Starbucks Japan exclusives, from Starbucks Collectible Mugs (Japan-exclusive items) to convenient drink mixes. Let's dive into Starbucks Japan further, from its history to its wide array of items. The History of Japan Starbucks Starbucks first humbly opened its doors in Seattle in 1971 as a small local coffee shop and has risen to become a world-dominating franchise. Who knew a single coffee shop would revolutionize how we drink coffee, how it would become a landmark in almost every continent, and how it would induce a buying frenzy with every collectible item drop and must-drink drink every season and seasonal holiday? As of January 2022, there are over 34,000 stores worldwide, with approximately 1,600 of those stores located in Japan. What exactly made Starbucks a beloved symbol of Japan? Well, when Starbucks opened its first store in Ginza's shopping street in 1996, it was truly one of a kind in Japan at that time. The ability to customize orders with different sizes, milk, and specialty drinks made it a star-studded coffee shop from the beginning. Starbucks saw a gap in the Japanese coffee market and ran to the opportunity. Starting as a joint venture with Sazaby League - a lifestyle and restaurant company that aids foreign brands entering Japan, Starbucks and Sazaby joined forces. Entering Japan as a joint venture allowed Starbucks to begin its coffee house empire by creating a strong foundation through access to general knowledge about culture, language, and Japanese business systems. Since then, Starbucks has purchased back the remaining shares from Sazaby League in 2014. This has now allowed them to grow even further into canned coffee and other ready-to-drink products available in supermarkets and convenience stores. Take a Piece of Japan Home with Starbucks Japan Exclusives Image: Been There Series - Tokyo mug One way to always remember your time away is rushing to a Starbucks and getting a “Been There” mug and tumbler featuring two-toned motifs of famous landmarks and attractions, regional cultures, and cuisines. There are 20 mugs highlighting the 19 prefectures in the country and one exclusive Japan mug. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on the Tokyo “Been There” mug or tumbler, you’ll see the iconic Shibuya Crossing, Nakameguro’s famous cherry blossom trees by the Meguro river, and the loyal Hachiko Shiba Inu statue meeting spot. These exclusive tumblers and mugs were not the beginning of Starbuck's collectible cup culture; before the “Been There” mugs, there were the “You Are Here” mugs. These two different mug styles almost created a divide between the die-hard Starbucks fans. The “You Are Here” mugs feature stylish and colorful designs that show a memorable image of a city or specific location you’re visiting. Meanwhile, the “You Are Here” mugs are more stylized and simplistic, featuring a modern, clean aesthetic. Rare Collectible Starbucks Japan Merchandise Whichever design you prefer, detailed or simplistic, Starbucks has it covered! Of course, with every Starbucks collection, there are highly sought-after rarities. Currently, the rarest Starbucks cup is the Seattle—Mount Rainier cup, specifically one that includes a simple misprint. This misprinted mug can be worth $1000+ (USD). Who knows, keep an eye out for misprints next time you're at Starbucks, and you could be a thousandaire! Seasonal Starbucks Japan Offerings Image: Starbucks Asia Starbucks, or ‘Sutaba‘ (スタバ) for short, skyrocketed in popularity in Japan. The company accomplished increasing success by identifying and adapting ideas ingrained in Japanese society. Starbucks Japan focused on exclusivity, rarity, and limited editions. The company curates thrilling seasonal products throughout the year, including Sakura, Autumn, Halloween, and holiday/Christmas offerings. These seasonal items also extend to special drink and food items available in local stores. Both the merchandise and seasonal fare can only be purchased for a limited period, adding to their appeal. Below, we explore Starbucks Japan's Sakura line, one of the most highly-anticipated launches each year. Starbucks Japan Sakura Products The limited edition seasonal buying frenzy for spring is the must-have drink featuring the perfectly pink Sakura flower. If you’ve ever watched an anime or viewed a photo of Mt Fuji, or received a postcard of Japan, you will likely have seen the ever-famous cherry blossom trees adorned with the nation's most loved blossoms (Sakura). Dubbed ‘Sakura season’ from mid-February to mid-March, Japanese people eagerly anticipate the blossoms blooming. Everything in Japan turns to a pastel pink hue and exudes a Sakura essence, including train station entrances, small dogs in pink sweaters, pastries, and, of course, our beloved Starbucks Sakura Drinks. Spring Sakura Beverages Starbuck's spring Sakura drinks change from year to year, but we can expect at least two different types of Sakura-inspired drinks per season. Starbucks makes its Sakura latte by blending sweet and tart strawberry sauce, steamed milk of your choice, and handcrafted blooming cherry blossom latte art. If this description doesn't make you salivate for the sweet taste of the Starbucks Sakura drink, I don't know what will. The highly anticipated Cherry Blossom frappuccino is a personal favorite. It features an absolute dreamy blend of strawberries, cream, and a sprinkle of spring happiness. The Starbucks Sakura Frappuccino has a unique combination of a strawberries and cream flavor and chewy mochi (もち) dumplings. It's finished off with a sprinkle of Sakura strawberry chocolate shavings. If you missed out on Sakura Starbucks Japan exclusives - here’s a secret menu hack to enjoy a spring-inspired Starbucks drink anytime. Start with a Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino, add white mocha sauce and matcha powder, then top it off with whipped cream and matcha powder! Now, you’ve got your specialty Sakura-themed drink that you can sip all season long! The Perfect Sakura Pairing: Sugoi Mart Starbucks Merchandise Image: Sugoi Mart The obsession with Starbucks cups started in 2018 when Starbucks launched its first reusable cold cups. What attracted customers to these reusable cups was their cute appearance and functionality. The ideal companion for the limited Starbucks Sakura drinks is a Starbucks Japan Sakura 2024 V2 Clear Bottle or a Starbucks Japan Sakura 2024 Cold Cup Tumbler. Now, you can find Starbucks tumblers at almost every single Starbucks featuring a combination of original and seasonal designs. On release day, expect to wait in a long snaking line to get your hands on the season's hottest Starbucks cups, whether that's the Starbucks Spring Cups or spooky autumn merchandise like the Starbucks Halloween 2024 Sunny Bottle Light Pink. Must-have Starbucks Japan Merchandise Starbucks also offers the most tantalizing at-home blends with exciting Starbucks coffee collections, like the Starbucks Japan Autumn Blend Whole Bean Coffee or the Starbucks Premium Caramel Latte. You can access the most sought-after Starbucks merchandise through Sugoi Mart's Starbucks Collection, which includes exclusive seasonal cups, coffee gift sets, accessories, and stationery. Japan's Most Unique Starbucks Shops There are so many traditions that make Japan incredibly unique, like the Lucky Bags, but one aspect that has stood out against the test of time is the architecture of Japanese buildings. Japan offers the most unique architectural Starbucks designs in the world. There’s not one, two, or even three must-visit Starbucks—but 12! Twelve magnificent stores that warrant their own tour guides. Some coffee houses feature Japanese-style architecture, and others stand out for their specialty services. Nakameguro Starbucks: Largest Roastery Worldwide In February 2019, Starbucks opened its biggest Starbucks Roastery in the world in Nakameguro, Tokyo, alongside the Meguro River. The expansive four-story building, sensationally designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is worth the five-hour wait in peak season. Upon walking through the enormous floor-to-ceiling glass doors, you'll be greeted by an industrial interior that perfectly compliments the fresh coffee scent whirling through the air. Make your way up the stairs past the freshly baked goods from the Milanese bakery Princi and the Teavana tea room on the second level; you'll arrive at the Arriviamo Cocktail Bar. This coffee heaven offers cocktails infused with coffee and an array of pastries. During Sakura season, take your limited-edition Sakura cocktail onto the terrace for a stunning view of blooming cherry blossoms. Yomiuriland Hana Biyori Starbucks: Lush Floral Landscapes Another uniquely designed Starbucks is set within a greenhouse at Yomiuriland Hana Biyori, Tokyo Garden. You'll be in a floral fantasy land amidst a lush landscape of flowers. Nab a counter seat facing the coffee house's aquarium to enjoy a view of vibrant fish from Okinawa. Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya Starbucks: First Tatami Seating If flowers aren’t your thing, a 100-year-old building housing a Starbucks shop should do it! You'll find the unsuspecting coffee house nestled in Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya, Kyoto, tucked away on a historic street. The traditional-looking store is the first Starbucks ever to offer tatami floor seating, designed to look like a classic Japanese tea house with zabuton cushions and walls displaying beautiful scrolls. Towards the back of the old machiya (まちや) townhouse is an inner courtyard transformed into a Japanese garden. With these awe-inspiring details, Starbucks received the Kyoto Scenery Award for its efforts in preserving and combining tradition with contemporary in its inspiring design. Shibuya Scramble Crossing Starbucks: Instagram-Worthy Shop One final Starbucks that warrants some recognition is the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Although not architecturally innovative, it is an iconic building that offers the most spectacular view of the legendary Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Whether you're a newcomer waiting to get the best Instagram shot of the glowing neon lights and the busy crosswalk or a businessman enjoying a coffee break, it truly is a wonderful spot that encompasses Starbucks' vibe. Starbucks is truly a place for locals, a place for tourists, a place for collectors, and a place for caffeine enthusiasts. Conclusion Over the years, Starbucks has not wavered in popularity. With every season, holiday, and new store opening, there is always a frenzy. It is inspiring that, after all these years, Starbucks has created loyalty throughout many nations. Though Starbucks Japan has a short history, it has quickly become a must-visit, must-taste, and must-buy coffee house. Wherever we are in the world now, we are fortunate to capture Japan's true taste with the limited-edition Starbucks Collection. This extensive collection features Starbucks Japan Limited Editions, including mugs, tumblers, bottles, keychains, notebooks, and more. Find more Starbucks Japan Exclusives in Sugoi Mart's Starbucks Collection, featuring limited-edition lines, seasonal items, and other exciting goodies. Pair your new Starbucks gear with tasty sweets, snacks, and more from Sugoi Mart to create the ultimate coffee break spread!