A visit to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo – Part 1

The following was originally featured on dennisamith.com:

On February 28th, the largest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the world opened in Nakameguro, Tokyo.

While there are Starbucks roaster cafe’s in Seattle, New York, Milan and Shanghai, this is the largest and is also the first training location in Japan for coffee professionals certified by the Specialty Coffee Association.

The new location is also featuring over 100 drinks on the menu from coffee, tea to whisky and vodka.

The first thing that captures your attention is to see the architecture, with wood and glass features part of the design of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, known for designing the new National Stadium and Starbucks Chief Design Officer Liz Muller. And the inspiration is of the cherry blossom trees that line the Meguro River. So that is why you will see Sakura petals made from strips of copper hanging from the ceiling inside.

Staff wait near the doors and also near the line area for people to wait and are ushered in to go inside.

As you can see from the sign, not only Starbucks beverages but each floor features something cool and different. You have Rocco Princi – Spirito di Milano serving food on the first floor, Teavana on the second floor, Arriviamo Bar on the third floor and more.

Not far from Meguro River, I was slightly worried because I have read of how there are thousands of people waiting in line and you literally have to get a ticket and it will tell you the approximate wait time.

I have waited hours in line before (Sushidai in Tsukiji) and truthfully, I did not want to wait hours again.

But I went about three weeks after the grand opening, hoping I could get in, considering I was heading there around 10:00 a.m.

When I went, there were around 25 people in line, so my wait time was around 10-15 minutes in line. They were allowing around 6 or more people each time, so it didn’t take too long. Considering that weeks earlier, there were hundreds of people in line, I was just happy that I knew I had the opportunity to go inside during my first try.

Before entering, I couldn’t wait to see what awaited me. Would it be cool? Would it be boring? Or would it be a coffee lover’s heaven?

I had to find out myself and the first thing once getting through the door, you’ll want to pick up the Starbucks Reserve Roastery guide upon entering.

And once your eyes start to see all around you… you realize that the Starbucks Reserve Roaster in Nakameguro is unlike anything you have ever seen in your life.

And the first thing out of my mouth was “Wow!”.

I’ll back with part 2 from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery!

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