Hyperlocal Tokyo

Day 8 of my Tokyo trip ① September 3, 2024. Starbucks stop #42. It was the last day of my stay in Tokyo, and I finally went to the Tokyo National Museum. It was raining (or maybe because of the rain?), and there was a ridiculously long line at the ticket booth, something you wouldn't see in the countryside! I gave up and headed to the nearest Starbucks. This store is located in Ueno Park, so there's a lot of greenery. It would have been a really nice atmosphere if it had been sunny. I went inside anyway. The register is right in the center as you enter, with seating areas to the left and right. There were various seating options, including glass-enclosed seats and terrace seats. There were a lot of foreign tourists, and it was fun just watching people. I thought to myself, I should visit a Starbucks in a foreign country sometime. With my flight time approaching, I decided to explore Ueno a bit more and left the Starbucks. (^^)

I arrived around 7:50 AM on a weekday. The store opens at 8:00 AM, so I decided to wait in front. There was one person ahead of me, and by 8:00 AM, about 20 people were lined up behind me. After the store opened, I got a seat and ordered using the mobile app. My order was ready in about 3 minutes. The sun was strong and the temperature was rising that morning, so most customers were eating inside. The terrace seats had a regular mist shower. The location is excellent, right next to Ueno Zoo and the Tokyo National Museum, with a wide street in front of the store.

The Starbucks inside Ueno Park has a terrace seating area that looked very inviting. The interior is also comfortable, but there are no power outlets, so it might not be suitable for working on a laptop.

This Starbucks is located in front of the large fountain square in Ueno Park, where many events are held. There are also several spots around the area where you can enjoy the performances of street performers known as "Heaven Artists," who are officially recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This is a great place to quench your thirst or rest your tired feet while enjoying these outdoor events. From the windows, you have a direct view of the event venue in the square. During the hot summer or cold winter months, it's a welcome relief to be able to cool down or warm up indoors, away from the event venue. In traditional Starbucks stores, you would have to secure a seat first, then stand in line at the counter, and then wait for your drink while standing in front of the payout counter under the chandelier. This could take a long time, especially when it's crowded. For those who wanted to sit down after shopping, having to stand for so long was a drawback. However, at this store, there are App Clip codes posted on tables outside and inside the store. iPhone users with Apple Pay can order from their seats. While this feature is still only available at some stores, it's very convenient. You can simply scan the QR code with your camera, access the payment site, choose your menu items, enter your nickname in katakana to prevent accidental receipt, and complete the payment with one touch. Then, you just wait a few minutes and your drink will be ready at the counter. This is incredibly convenient, as you don't have to stand in line at the counter or wait in front of the payout counter. You can relax in your seat and wait for your drink to be ready. The store is about half Japanese and half foreign customers. For tourists from Europe and America, the familiar Starbucks sign might be a welcome sight. The exterior is a single-story building that looks like a mountain cabin. On the day I visited, it was hot, so they had a misting system installed under the eaves of the terrace to provide some relief from the heat.

Starbucks Coffee Ueno Onshi Park Store is a coffee shop located within Ueno Onshi Park. The interior is spacious and has a calm atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy your coffee leisurely. This time, I went to try the limited-time melon Frappuccino. The melon flavor was strong and refreshing, perfect for a hot day. It was sweet, but the aftertaste was clean, making it easy to drink several cups. From inside, the greenery of Ueno Onshi Park caught my eye, and I was able to spend a relaxing time on the open-air terrace seats.