Starbucks opens in former Kobe imperial guest room

[thomas]

Visitors to Kobe can now enjoy a luxurious coffee experience in a Starbucks at JR Kobe Station, which once hosted imperial family guests. The coffee shop, part of the PLiCO Kobe commercial complex, spans approximately 330 square metres and offers 108 seats across two floors. A highlight is the preserved 40-square-metre section with a marble fireplace, timber floors, and a grand chandelier from the ceiling, which stands about 5 metres high. This area accommodates 12 seats and retains its historical charm as an exclusive lounge for the imperial family until 1972. The unique blend of historical elegance and modern coffee culture has captivated customers and stirred excitement on social media since its opening on 10 May.

Photo credit: Naoyuki Mori via Asahi​

According to West Japan Railway Co. and other sources, the lounge opened in the second-generation station building completed in 1889 and was moved to the current location when the third-generation station building was constructed in 1934. Records show that between 1947 and 1968, Emperor Showa (1901-1989) visited twice and Emperor Emeritus Akihito, 90, dropped by once when he was crown prince. The lounge was turned into the stationmaster's office in 1972, when the Sanyo Shinkansen Line began service between Shin-Osaka and Okayama, and Shin-Kobe Station opened on the bullet train line as the new gateway to Kobe. The former lounge opened to the public as part of a restaurant in 2016 after the chairs that imperial family members sat in, dubbed "thrones," were removed. The restaurant closed in January of last year. Starbucks, which was operating at a different location within the PLiCO facility since 2012, decided to relocate to the new site, about three times as large as its previous outlet.

New Starbucks in Kobe features chandelier for imperial guests | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

元貴賓室に移転オープン！スターバックスコーヒー PLiCO神戸店に行ってきました　神戸市

JR神戸駅の構内、商業施設『PLiCO KOBE（プリコ神戸）』内のスターバックスが5月10日に移転オープン。こちらの新店舗の1階スペースは元々皇族用の貴賓室として用いられていた部屋と聞き、体験に行ってきました。場所はJR神戸駅の改札...

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[Lothor]

I'm not happy with Starbucks' voracious buying of some of Japan's most interesting buildings/rooms, using them as a piggyback to sell their naff coffee and merchandise and their stupidly named 'specials' in Instagram-friendly surroundings. Pah!

Can I have today's 'grumpy old fart post' award please?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Entitles you to one free Starbuck's coffee !

 

[Lothor]

Thank you so much!

 

[Strawberryzaaria]

Ahh yes! A boujee Starbucks! Wonder if this one is overpriced to?

 

[Petaris]

Ahh yes! A boujee Starbucks! Wonder if this one is overpriced to?

Have you ever found a Starbucks that isn't overpriced?