Maruyama Park, Kyoto City’s oldest designated scenic site, has long been cherished by locals for its expansive grounds and abundant greenery. This new Starbucks is also the brand’s first store to open inside a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty.

The moment I approached the store, its charming, old-fashioned exterior immediately caught my eye.

The design centers on the concept of a “coffee teahouse,” inspired by the traditional teahouses once found along roads and near temples and shrines. These welcoming rest stops gave travelers a place to catch their breath before continuing their journey.

That same idea has now been reimagined as a relaxed coffee space where visitors can drop in during a stroll and enjoy Maruyama Park’s changing seasonal scenery.

One of the things I dread most when traveling abroad is battling the crowds. But the moment I stepped inside, I was surprised by just how spacious the store felt, with nearly 393 square meters of floor space and 80 seats.

Compared with many cafés in popular sightseeing areas, finding a seat here is refreshingly easy.

The first floor also features a koagari, a raised tatami-style seating area where guests remove their shoes, overlooking the wisteria trellis outside. After a long day of walking, slipping off my shoes and stretching out my legs felt like a lifesaver.

A large communal table sits at the center of the floor, creating a welcoming space where locals and travelers can naturally connect.

The basement floor is designed to feel like the private home of a traditional teahouse owner. Its tea room, dining room, and living room-inspired spaces create a wonderfully calm and welcoming atmosphere.

Some seats look directly out over the park, allowing guests to enjoy a different view with each season. Sip your coffee beneath cherry blossoms in spring, wisteria and lush greenery in summer, fiery foliage in autumn, or quiet snow-covered scenery in winter.

The store also makes a beautiful backdrop for anyone visiting in a kimono or yukata, thanks to its carefully preserved traditional Japanese architecture.

From the noren curtain at the entrance to the softly glowing andon lanterns, every detail adds to the distinctly Japanese setting. Almost any corner makes an atmospheric photo spot.

After ordering my coffee and settling in, I began noticing the many artworks displayed throughout the store. Each piece was created especially for this location by contemporary artist Mai Miyake.

The works explore the small miracles and sense of gratitude that arise from the connection between people and nature, offering plenty to quietly admire over a cup of coffee.

Look closely and you’ll see that some pieces incorporate burlap sacks once used to transport raw coffee beans. Cleverly upcycled, they trace coffee’s journey from tree to cup while blending naturally with Kyoto’s traditions and the cycles of nature.

The store also offers an exclusive souvenir that is well worth seeking out: the JIMOTO Made HIGASHIYAMA “Lucky Charm Ornament: Beckoning Cat Clay Bell, Kiku.”

Created in collaboration with Shimada Kouen Ningyo Kobo, a long-established Kyoto workshop known for its gosho-ningyo dolls, the tiny good-luck charm is inspired by Gion’s traditional fukudama ornaments.

The adorable “Kiku cat” comes in a specially blended yellow-green shade inspired by the elegant Kikutani chrysanthemums that grow around Higashiyama’s Kikukei area.

Each ornament costs 2,700 yen and is sold in a blind box, so the design remains a surprise until you open it. I could not resist picking one up as a small souvenir from my stroll.

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