The immensely popular branch comes back with a new look and concept.
After a much-needed refresh and revamp, the iconic Tsutaya store in Shibuya is finally reopening its doors on Thursday April 25, according to Time Out and several Japanese news agencies. Patrons—mostly tourists wanting an unobstructed view of the famous scramble—should expect a renovated retail space.
Photos from Starbucks Japan
Last November, people were shocked and saddened when the store announced its temporary closure for a long overdue remodeling. Thankfully, fans and travelers didn’t have to wait too long as the immensely popular café will be reopening in the exact same location as before, but this time, with a fun new design concept.
Two floors of artsy interiors
Starbucks is now taking over the first and second floors, with the first floor offering only take away drinks from a barista counter at the entrance facing Koen-dori street.
The second floor, meanwhile, will feature a café based on the ‘Starbucks green ribbon’ concept, with seats designed onto massive green ribbons snaking through the space. One of the ribbons measures 71 meters and curves around the floor, an “audience seat” leading to the window where customers flock for its famous view of the iconic Shibuya Crossing.
The second green ribbon measuring 1 x 35 meters is a digital art piece that follows the curves of the store walls and displays images of coffee, familiar Shibuya images, and icons of Japanese arts and crafts created by various artists.
The renovated Starbucks café has seating for 100 people and it opens its doors once again to the public at 10:00 a.m. on April 25. After which, opening hours are set for 7:00 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. daily for the second floor, and 8:00 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. for takeaways on the first floor.
Exclusive merchandise
Aside from great coffee and mouthwatering sweet and savory delights, the global coffee brand is also known for its collectible and themed merchandise. This is one another reason to visit this new and improved Starbucks—to get your hands on the merch that will be available exclusively at this location, which you can buy as keepsakes or as pasalubong for loved ones back home.
as a souvenir?
Among the items is the adorable Bearista Daruma Green Mini plush lucky charm (¥2,600) that’s created to celebrate the store’s rebirth. Daruma are traditional papier-mâché ornaments with rounded bottoms that are believed to make wishes come true, and this new product puts a soft green spin on the tradition by adding the chain’s Bearista character to it, with the kanji for “luck” (“福”) printed on its belly.
For more information, you can visit Starbucks Shibuya Crossing’s official website.
