For Starbucks lovers, the world’s largest Starbucks, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo, is a sight not to miss during a trip to Japan. For anyone else who loves coffee shops, coffee, or coffee-inspired alcoholic drinks, Starbucks Roastery Tokyo isn’t a bad place to chill either. This four-story coffee experience opened in 2019, and is still a massively popular tourist attraction in Tokyo.
Here’s all you need to know before visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo.
How to get to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is in the Naka-Meguro neighborhood of Tokyo, and can be reached on foot from Shibuya Station. Walking takes about 20 minutes through winding streets from Shibuya’s South Exit.
The closest station to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is Naka-Meguro Station, on the Hibiya subway line. This line can be reached by transferring at Shibuya Station.
When to visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo in Naka-Meguro is always crowded. Don’t arrive and expect to be able to walk straight in.
If you want to avoid the crowds and a long line, it’s best to go first thing in the morning or later in the evening. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery’s hours are 7am to 11pm every day. Go before 9am, or after 6pm for a shorter waiting time for entry.
Expect a long waiting time if you visit the Starbucks Roastery Tokyo on a weekend or mid-day. Entry to Tokyo’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery is based on timed tickets, so you have to wait until your ticket number is shown on the interior screen, or called by the attendants, for you to go inside.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Booking Ticket
In order to enter the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo, you first need to receive a ticket from the large room located just next to the Roastery. To make a Starbucks Reserve Roastery booking, check in at one of the iPads or with an employee who can help you print out a ticket. This will reserve a spot in line for you. Each person needs one ticket, which has an entry number, a QR code and website link. If you’re sneaky, one person can secure multiple Starbucks Reserve Roastery Bookings for other friends and family, even if the others are not present.
If you scan the QR code or enter the website link listed on the ticket into your phone, you can tell how much of a wait there is before you will be able to enter.
Usually it is an overestimate for how long it will take. When I visited the Tokyo Starbucks Roastery, the app said I would have to wait two hours, but I was able to enter after one hour. During my second visit to the Roastery late on a weekend, the wait was about one hour and we entered in 45 mins.
It is no problem if you enter the Roastery much later than when your Startbucks Reserve Roastery Booking number on the ticket is called. Spend some time in the neighborhood, grab a bite to eat, or more while waiting in line!
Where to pass the time in the Naka-Meguro neighborhood
Have an hour or two to burn before you’re able to enter the Tokyo Starbucks Reserve Roastery? Here are some things to do in Naka-Meguro to pass the time:
- Don Quixote – This variety store is located right next to the Roastery. Spend your time here shopping for anything and everything under the sun. You can get last-minute souvenirs, make-up, snacks, household goods, party supplies… everything.
- Tsutaya Books Daikanyama – If you love a combination of coffee and books, check out the massive Tsutaya bookstore. It’s located eight minutes away from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery by foot. There is a decent selection of English books, and many cafes in the area (including Starbucks) where you can get a snack.
- Shibuya – Stop by Naka-Meguro in the morning to grab a ticket, then go back to Shibuya for shopping, sightseeing, lunch or dinner. Then come back to the Roastery to get admitted immediately.
Looking for other things to do besides visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo?
- Read up on my Tokyo itinerary – The Perfect Three Days in Tokyo Itinerary
- Check out the highlights – Top 15 Things To Do In Tokyo
- See Tokyo’s weird and quirky side – 20 Weird And Unique Things To Do In Tokyo
- Learn where to escape the crowds – Off-The-Beaten-Path Places In Tokyo
- Get out of the city for a day – Best Day Trips From Tokyo
- Gain some elevation over Tokyo – Six Amazing Tokyo Viewpoints
What to expect inside the Tokyo Starbucks Reserve Roastery
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo is nothing like the regular Starbucks chains. The drinks are different, the food is different… There is even a cocktail bar on the third floor where you can buy alcoholic drinks! Visiting the Roastery is a Starbucks coffee immersion experience. Expect to spend at least an hour here.
In the center of the building is a large coffee bean roaster, wrapped in tubes and conveyor belts that coffee beans are transported around with. On the first floor is a gift shop, a bakery Princi where you can buy proper European-style bread, and a counter where you can order your specialty coffees.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo Gifts
At the Roastery’s gift shop on the first floor are some amazing, exclusive Starbucks Roastery Tokyo gifts. Starbucks coffee mugs are great collector’s items and souvenirs, and here you’ll find Starbucks Tokyo mugs and more than one Starbucks Reserve Naka-Meguro mugs. There’s also a sought-after Starbucks Tokyo Tumbler available only at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo.
Second, Third, and Fourth Floors of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo
Head up to the second floor of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery where there is a Teavana counter. Here you can purchase different teas instead of coffees, just in case you’re traveling Tokyo with a tea-lover.
The third floor was one of my favorites – there’s a fancy bar area in addition to a counter where you can order coffee! No where else in the world does Starbucks have a cocktail menu. Order their craft beer, wine, or whiskey, and pair it with one of their delicious pastries or cakes. You can order coffee from this floor as well, and usually there is a shorter waiting time here.
On the third and fourth floor of the Tokyo Starbucks Reserve Roastery are outdoor patios, where if the weather is nice, you can take your coffee tray out to enjoy the view of the surrounding buildings.
If you’re visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo with a lot of people, it’s best to divide and conquer so you can find a place to sit! Your best bet might be to sit outside, because the Instagram girls take the prime picture-taking spots inside of the Roastery.
After you’ve enjoyed your coffee, tea, bread, and sweets, head back to the first floor to do some gift-shopping. There are a variety of Roastery-specific souvenirs, including mugs, aprons, and everything coffee-related. You can pick up some coffee beans and tea to bring home too!
Summary of tips for visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo:
- Time your entry for the early morning or evening so you don’t need to wait
- If you need to wait, there are many beautiful places to hang out in the Naka-Meguro neighborhood!
- Try the different drinks, cocktails, teas, and sweets ONLY available at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo.
- This is a coffee immersion experience. Plan to spend at least 30 mins to 1 hour here.
- Buy a Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo souvenir on your way out 🙂
Heading to Tokyo's Starbucks Reserve Roastery?
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