Starbucks Coffee Japan is starting Valentine’s Day early with a line-up of three chocolatey drinks inspired by the day of love that will begin being served in Japan from January 20, 2021.

The first two drinks to arrive are the Melty Raw Chocolate Frappuccino®︎ and Melty Raw Chocolate Mocha. The third and final drink, the Chocolate On The Chocolate Frappuccino®︎, will hit coffee branches on January 27.

Melty Raw Chocolate Frappuccino®︎ | Tall ¥590 (Tall size only)
Melty Raw Chocolate Mocha | Short ¥450 / Tall ¥490 / Grande ¥530 / Ventii®︎ ¥570

Coffee couples can look forward to sipping on the Melty Raw Chocolate Frappuccino®︎, a rich drink made with velvety fresh cream, smooth chocolate cubes, a drizzle of raw chocolate sauce, and topping of red-coloured chocolates shaped like love hearts. If they’re looking for something to keep them snugged up warm and cosy this winter, then the Melty Raw Chocolate Mocha is the one to go for, a twist on the classic caffè mocha that contains chocolate cubes that slowly melt into the drink.

Chocolate On The Chocolate Frappuccino®︎ | Tall ¥620 (Tall size only)

If you’re really craving chocolate during Starbucks’s Valentine’s season, then you’ll want to order the Chocolate On The Chocolate Frappuccino®︎, a mountainous drink loaded with three kinds of chocolate. Crushed chocolate biscuit, chocolate cubes, brownie and cake-like chocolates, and more. Mix it all together for a tasty experience that’s sure to have you falling in love – whether with the drink or your date!

Classic Chocolate Cake | ¥440

Ruby Chocolate Cake | ¥540

Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without some delicious desserts. Starbucks has prepared a classic chocolate cake. Simple but tasty and pairs perfectly with a cup of Starbucks Caffè Verona. The ruby chocolate cake is love at first sight, a fruity delight that comes as Starbucks Japan’s first dessert to be made with ruby chocolate – the fourth type of chocolate alongside milk, dark, and white.

Iwashimizu Hachimangu, a Shinto Shrine in Yawata, Kyoto, has announced that a 5-day light-up event will take place from February 10 to 14 at the site’s main shrine which is listed as a national treasure of Japan.

Following government guidelines in response to COVID-19, the event will feature LED illuminations, glowing exhibits from craftsmen, lights made by locals from materials such as bamboo, and more, all in the hopes of creating a bit of evening-time sightseeing in the area. The event will also be streamed live online for those unable to attend where viewers can also enjoy watching ceremonial dance by shrine maidens.

Saryo FUKUCHA in Kyoto is now serving up a very special selection of succulent strawberry and matcha parfaits until May 30, 2021. These exquisite delights will see only 10 made of each per day.

Saryo FUKUCHA is a cafe that was opened by FUKUJUEN in Kyoto Station in April 2019. This year, they have brought back their extremely popular strawberry and matcha parfaits : the Konome, Konoha, and Konoka. They have also introduced a new addition to the line-up: the Strawberry & Matcha Milk Parfait. Also on the menu is a strawberry matcha latte.

Matcha & Strawberry Parfaits

Konome | ¥1,350

Konoha | ¥1,450

Konoka | ¥1,550

Strawberry Matcha Milk Parfait | ¥800

Strawberry Matcha Latte | ¥650

Discover the taste of Japanese tea in a new way with Saryo FUKUCHA’s matcha and strawberry parfaits and latte.

Solare Hotels and Resorts has announced that a new branch of hotels androoms will open in Kyoto Shijo on March 6, 2021. In the run up to its grand opening, the company has opened a website where guests can book hotels with Solare Hotels and Resorts at the cheapest possible price. The website will begin rolling out more information about each hotel on the site through the year.

Access

hotel androoms Kyoto Shijo is located a convenient 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station’s Karasuma Line section and 7 minutes from the Central Exit in the JR section, placing it within close distance to many of Kyoto’s sightseeing spots.

The hotel offers seven different room types from standard to double to premium twin. One room can house a maximum of three people, accommodating groups and families. It also promises to be packed with a variety of exclusive services you won’t find at other hotels.

Specialty coffee by Unir Kyoto

hotel androoms Kyoto Shijo will welcome the opening of a new branch of Unir inside the hotel which serves coffee made from specially-selected coffee beans. The coffee is hand-roasted on site with baristas pouring their love and skill into every cup.

Breakfast delivered right to your room

The morning time is your time and should be used as you please without you having to rush around, so says the hotel, and so it offers a breakfast delivery service which must be booked in advance.

Relax and unwind in the modern-style baths

Those looking for a little relaxation can look forward to pushing all their stresses aside in a modern bathing area which is inspired by a cave. It’s open from 3pm-2am and again from 6am-10am.

If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto and want a hotel with easy access to all the hot spots then be sure to consider hotel androoms Kyoto Shijo.

An event centred on the TV anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is now taking place in Kyoto at Toei Kyoto Studio Park, Kyoto Railway Museum, and Shijō-Ōmiya Station and Arashiyama Station on the The Keifuku Randen Tram Line until March 14, 2021. Fans of the series can participate in a ‘keyword rally’ where they’ll be walking around Kyoto trying to locate specific words to win prizes, enjoy unique Demon Slayer exhibits at each of the venues, gets their hands on original merch, tuck into themed food, and more.

Pins (17 Designs) | ¥440 Each (*Design chosen is random)

Long Chocolate Baumkuchen | ¥1,080

Merch includes pins of the anime series’s main characters, a special baumkuchen cake based on the Infinity Train from the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train film, and more. Online orders are also available in Japan at Chugaionline.

Fans still hyped over Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, which broke records in Japan to become the highest-grossing film of all time in the country, can expect to stock up even more of their favourites for their collection at the event.

©吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable

Starbucks Coffee Japan is pouring four new beverages into its ongoing winter beverage series starting on December 26: the Earl Grey Honey Whip Frappuccino®, Earl Grey Honey Whip Tea Latte, Chai & Whip Chocolate Tea Latte, and Houjicha Cream Tea Latte.

Fragrant Frappuccino® combining Earl Grey and sweet honey

Earl Grey Honey Whip Frappuccino®: Tall ¥590 (Tall Size Only)
Earl Grey Honey Whip Tea Latte (Hot Only): Short ¥450 / Tall ¥490 / Grande ¥530 / Venti® ¥570

Serving: December 26, 2020 – January 19, 2021

What better way to enjoy the winter season than with a cup of the Starbucks Earl Grey Honey Whip Frappuccino® or Earl Grey Honey Whip Tea Latte, both of which fuse the fragrant and elegant flavour of Earl grey with refreshing milk, sweet honey, and a topped of whipped cream. Both beverages are finished with a snow-dusting of white chocolate flakes.

Tea, tea, tea! Three tea lattes with distinct flavours

Earl Grey Honey Whip Tea Latte (Hot Only): Short ¥450 / Tall ¥490 / Grande ¥530 / Venti® ¥570

Chai & Whip Chocolate Tea Latte (Hot Only): Short ¥450 / Tall ¥490 / Grande ¥530 / Venti® ¥570

Houjicha Cream Tea Latte: Short ¥430 / Tall ¥470 / Grande ¥510 / Venti® ¥550
Serving: December 26, 2020 – January 19, 2021

As well as the Earl Grey Honey Whip Tea Latte, there’s the spicy Chai & Whip Chocolate Tea Latte topped with white chocolate and nutmeg as well as the Houjicha Cream Tea Latte which contains houjicha tea, white chocolate syrup, and whipped cream dusted with brown sugar. The mix of tea and milk makes for a harmonious indulgence.

Butterscotch Latte returns for winter

Butterscotch Latte (Hot/Iced): Short ¥420 / Tall ¥460 / Grande ¥500 / Venti® ¥540
Serving: December 26, 2020 – March 16, 2021

Taking inspiration from Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo, all Starbucks branches in Japan will serve the Butterscotch Latte, using different ingredients from Roastery Tokyo, a combination of rich buttery and caramelly butterscotch sauce, a shot of espresso, and steamed milk.

Kamo Dashi Chuka Soba ROKU is a new ramen restaurant set to open at GOOD NATURE STATION, a shopping facility in Kyoto, on December 12, 2020.

The restaurant is produced by Yuki Iwasaki, a chef at VELROSIER which acquired its first Michelin Star in Michelin Guide 2021 Kyoto, Osaka & Okayama. It will serve ramen in a variety of duck-flavoured dashi broths made with duck from Kyoto and France.

Duck Sei Tanmen | ¥1,000

Duck Shiro Tanmen | ¥1,000

ROKU will initially offer three types of ramen dishes which includes the two pictured above as well as a special served each season. The Duck Sei Tanmen uses a broth made from a blend of duck meats and has a distinctly refreshing yet rich taste. The Duck Shiro Tanmen uses the same broth but adds chicken to the base together with mayu burnt garlic oil. The restaurant also makes its own thick noodles to enjoy with the soup. No tare sauce is used, allowing for customers to enjoy the umami flavour of the dashi and the various ingredients added.

The ramen bowls used are original wares created by TOKINOHA, a Japanese crockery brand specialising in traditional Kiyomizu ware which are perfect for enjoying your ramen.

FAUCHON HOTEL KYOTO is set to open its second branch in March 2021 which will be home to the Fauchon brand’s world-first spa Le Spa Fauchon.

Le Spa Fauchon’s spa experience incorporates its concept of “FAUCHON Meets Kyoto. Feel Paris” which is offered in a variety of ways. The spa of course serves a wide range of body, facial and scrub treatments with voluptuous fragrances and rich textures, while the floors of the spa rooms are dyed a stylish Fauchon pink. It’s a coming-together of splendorous Paris and quaint Kyoto.

An unforgettable spa experience by Japan and Paris’s beauty specialties

Le Spa Fauchon is managed by Cred International at FAUCHON HOTEL KYOTO, an industry-leading company that operates luxury hotels both inside and outside Japan.

The spa’s products and menu were developed in a joint effort between premium cosmetic brand KOS PARIS, which manages numerous 5-star hotel spas and offers high-quality products in Paris, and which is coming to Japan for the very first time, and Cred International. The spa is also offering an original and exclusive range of oils in collaboration with top Paris therapist Yuki Inotsume, who has offered her knowledge of Japanese skin care and Japanese peoples’ preferences, and KOS PARIS’s high-grade oils.

FAUCHON HOTEL KYOTO also offers all guests a selection of amenities in their rooms with the “FAUCHON Meets Kyoto. Feel Paris.” concept for guests to enjoy the ultimate spa experience.

If you’re staying in Kyoto, why not treat yourself to a spa trip at Le Spa Fauchon?

YOJIYA CAFE opened up a new cafe called YOJIYA CAFE Ocha no Crepe in Kyoto on November 30, 2020, serving a selection of crepes made with Uji matcha and specially-selected ingredients.

YOJIYA is a Kyoto-based company that first opened 116 years ago specialising in aburatorigami blotting paper. Today, the company has expanded its range of cosmetic and beauty items, and it even operates two cafes in Kyoto. On Monday (November 30), it opened YOJIYA CAFE Ocha no Crepe in Nijo Fuyacho, Kyoto, an all-new cafe serving takeout crepes.

Ocha no Crepe Matcha | ¥750 (Tax Included)

The cafe’s signature matcha crepe is filled with cream, rice flour dumplings, and matcha from Uji. The crepe pastry itself is made from an original blend of two types of wheat flour. The cream is a delicious blend of three types of cream plus matcha cream. It’s also filled with crunchy pie which is cooked fresh every morning. The crepe is finished with an illustration of a matcha teacup and whisk made from matcha.

The high quality matcha crepes are made the perfect size and with the perfect combinations so they can be enjoyed even after a meal.

Be sure to pay a visit to YOJIYA CAFE Ocha no Crepe when visiting Kyoto.

Starbucks Coffee Japan opened a new branch on Thursday (November 25) in Nishitokyo, a western area of Tokyo, next to an ancient 300-year-old camphor tree. The coffee shop opens with a gorgeous wooden interior.

Starbucks Nishitokyo

Starbucks Nishitokyo was built on top of a long-standing cafe called Kusunoki in Musashino, Tokyo that was loved by locals for 40 years before closing down. The Starbucks branch, with its striking warm wooden decor, takes inspiration from an old 300-year-old tree that stands 23-meters tall and 7 meters in circumference. The old round pillars that kept the previous cafe Kusunoki standing have been kept in place and built around, incorporating a tall new triangular roof, lights, and the walls, and more—all as an homage to the old cafe. This way, memories of the beloved can be passed on while making way for a new chapter in history.

Starbucks’s wooden decor

Starbucks Shinshu Zenkoji Nakamise-dori branch

Starbucks Shikishima Park branch

Starbucks Nishitokyo comes as the latest Starbucks branch to have entirely wooden decor, something which the company has been incorporating much of in Japan in recent years. The Shinshu Zenkoji Nakamise-dori branch is made using five different types of trees sourced in Nagano Prefecture. The Shikishima Park branch offers an incredible view of the park’s flowers and trees, including the cherry blossoms when they bloom in spring.

Starbucks Japan is opening another wooden branch in Spring 2021 at Ise Grand Shrine.

An initiative to use wood grown in Japan

Starbucks Shinjuku Gyoen branch

Starbucks LINKS UMEDA branch

The number of shops and cafes using local wood in Japan is on the rise in response to the issue of using domestic wood from places outside of a local area. Starbucks Shinjuku Gyoen, for example, has walls, a ceiling, and drinks counter made from wood sourced in Tama, Tokyo, while Starbucks LINKS UMEDA has pillars made of wood taken from trees in Umeda, Osaka.

Isetan Shinjuku has announced a special event dedicated to promoting the beautiful taste of Tokyo. Set to begin on December 2, the event will see both traditional and newer restaurants from Kyoto come together to serve up Kyoto-style cuisine to the people of Tokyo from oldies like sushi to dango to more modern dishes like okonomiyaki and katsu sandwiches. Visitors will also be able to watch real chefs from Kyoto at work.

Hi-Lite Shokudo’s “Hi-Lite Katsu Sandwich” | ¥850

Since first opening in 1960, Hi-Lite Shokudo has continued to treasure the taste of home cooking and has continued to evolve that taste over the years to cater to each generation. Its famous katsu sandwich is made with a secret sauce that has kept it unbeaten against other popular eateries in Kyoto, and they’ve upped the taste for this event.

Kotoka’s “Mitarashi-dango” | ¥864 (6 Sticks) 

These dango are made fresh in front of customers and are doused in a rich secret sauce. Their chewy texture is irresistible.

Izuu’s Mackerel and Tilefish Assortment | ¥4,455 (3 of each per person)

Izuu is an iconic sushi restaurant in Kyoto that was first established in 1781. This assortment is made with chub mackerel from coastal waters, esumai rice from Shiga Prefecture, and kombu from Hokkaido.。

Yumeya’s Fuwafuwa Okonomiyaki | ¥801 (1 portion)

Many people living outside of Kyoto search for the okonomiyaki flavour served by Yumeya. It’s made fresh, fluffy, and is topped with lots of ingredients.

Daitokuji Saiki-ya’s “Dashimaki Tamago” | ¥648 (1 portion)

Daitokuji Saiki-ya is a specialty store in Kyoto catered food in business for 1933 years. It serves Kyoto-style dashimaki tamago as well as lots of other delicious food that captures the taste of Kyoto.

To celebrate the upcoming release of the two-part Sailor Moon Eternal movie, a third branch of Sailor Moon store -petit- is set to open at KIDDYLAND Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi on December 5, 2020.

Sailor Moon fans can look forward to getting their hands on a magical menagerie of original merchandise originally only available at the Sailor Moon store in Harajuku as well as a super soft, exclusive store-original Climax Moon Compact cushion.

Other items include candy charms, acrylic Christmas 2020 stands, pins, and more. Customers who spend over ¥3,000 (tax included) will also receive a free folder. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis and feature a cute design drawn by one of the store owners.