For Starbucks lovers, the world’s largest Starbucks and 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, the Starbucks Roastery Tokyo isn’t a bad place to spend time 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 is always crowded. Don’t just arrive and expect to walk straight in to this unique Tokyo experience.
If you want to avoid the crowds and a long line, it’s best to go first thing in the morning or late in the evening. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery’s hours are from 7am to 10pm 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 entry. Visitors need to scan a QR code at the building next to the Roastery and wait their turn in line before entering. A Starbucks shop attendant works the door of the building, checking timed entry screens on people’s phones.
Consider visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Naka-Meguro in the evening for fewer crowds and shorter lines!
Starbucks Reserve Roastery QR Code Booking
In order to enter the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo, you first need to scan a QR code on your phone to start waiting “in line”.
Each group can enter on one QR code. Whoever scans the code can enter the number of people who will enter for the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Booking. Once you scan the QR code, 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.
It is also no problem if you enter the Roastery much later than when your Startbucks Reserve Roastery Booking number is called. Spend some time in the neighborhood or grab a bite to eat while waiting in line (see below for some ideas).
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.
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 tea counter. Here you can purchase different teas instead of coffees, just in case you’re traveling Tokyo with a tea or matcha-lover.
The third floor of the Tokyo Starbucks Reserve Roastery was one of my favorites: a fancy bar area in addition to a counter where you can order coffee! Order their espresso martinis, 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 Tokyo Starbucks Reserve Roastery with a large group, it’s best to divide up so you can find a place to sit! Your best bet might be to sit outside, because the Instagrammers 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 Tokyo 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 2 hours here if eating.
- Buy a Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo souvenir on your way out 🙂
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Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
Be sure to check out my Japan home page for Japan travel information, insider tips, reading list, and must-haves for traveling to Japan!
- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Planets or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Buy Travel Insurance – It’s better to protect yourself from mishaps when traveling. Get a quote from World Nomads to see how much it’ll cost to get you covered!
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!
