Tsutaya Books and Starbucks Roastery, Tokyo, Japan
Tsutaya Books is a prominent Japanese bookstore chain renowned for its extensive selection of books, music, and lifestyle products. The Starbucks ReserveĀ® Roastery Tokyo offers an immersive coffee experience across its four floors.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo: 2 Chome-19-23 Aobadai, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0042, Japan
SL Square (Shimbashi Station West Entrance Square): 2 Chome-7 Shinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan
Date Picture Taken: September, 2024
I first went to the Starbucks ReserveĀ® Roastery Tokyo in the Nakameguro district. But it required a reservation, so I put one on and walked to the Tsutaya Books Store in Daikanyama, which was withinĀ walking distance.
On the way to the Tsutaya Books store, I passed by an affluent residence area in Tokyo.
A restaurant next to the Tsutaya BooksĀ
Lunch
Tsutaya Books is a prominent Japanese bookstore chain renowned for its extensive selection of books, music, and lifestyle products. Established in 1983, it has expanded to over 1,400 locations across Japan and internationally. The chain is operated by Culture Convenience Club (CCC), which emphasizes enhancing customer lifestyles through curated cultural experiences.
One of the flagship stores, Daikanyama Tsutaya Books in Tokyo, is celebrated for its architectural design and ambiance. Designed by Klein Dytham Architecture in 2011, the complex won the Grand Prize at the Design for Asia Awards in 2013 and was recognized as the best shopping centre at the World Architecture Festival. Its design concept has been described as a “library in a forest,” featuring a layout and T-shaped design motifs that reflect Tsutaya’s logo.
The bookstore is divided into three interconnected buildings, each specializing in different genres:
Building 1: Focuses on literature, humanities, and business books.
Building 2: Dedicated to art, architecture, and design publications.
Building 3: Offers a selection of travel, cooking, and lifestyle books.
A unique feature is “Magazine Street,” a corridor lined with a vast array of magazines from around the world, connecting the three buildings.
To the second floor
The second floors of the buildings are designated as lounge and study areas.
Connected passage to the next building
I received a text from Starbucks Roastery notifying me that my reservation time has arrived and I can come in.
Walked back to the Starbucks
Inside the Starbucks
Starbucks ReserveĀ® Roasteries are immersive spaces where Starbucks showcases its dedication to coffee craftsmanship and innovation. These roasteries offer visitors a unique experience, combining coffee roasting, brewing, and tasting in architecturally distinctive environments.
As of November 2024, Starbucks operates six Reserve Roasteries worldwide.
On-Site Roasting: Each roastery roasts small-batch, single-origin Starbucks ReserveĀ® coffees, allowing visitors to witness the roasting process firsthand.
On the second floor
On the third floor
On my way back to the hotel from Starbucks, I stopped at SL Square. Located outside Shimbashi Station in Tokyo, it is a notable public space featuring a preserved steam locomotive (SL) as its centerpiece.
The square serves as a popular meeting point, especially among local “salarymen” who frequent the nearby izakaya-style bars and restaurants after work. Its central location makes it a convenient rendezvous spot in the bustling Shimbashi district.
I read that this place is where regular Japanese people come to drink after work, and not tourists.
