Tokyo’s Reserve Roastery is the second of Starbucks’ six worldwide flagship roasters: a 4-floor Kengo Kuma 2019 building on the Meguro river canal, with a 17m working coffee roaster as architectural centrepiece, plus a coffee bar, tea bar (Teavana), cocktail bar (Arriviamo) and bakery. Different from the chain in scale, design and Japan-only blends.
What to Expect
The 1F coffee bar surrounds the working roaster (you watch beans roasted live). The 2F has Teavana, with Japanese tea presentations and matcha lattes. The 3F is Arriviamo, a coffee-cocktail bar (espresso martinis at scale). The 4F is the rooftop terrace overlooking the Meguro canal sakura. Allow 60-90 min for a full tasting tour.
Consider This Instead
For an indie coffee scene without queue or chain backing, head 10 min north to Daikanyama for boutique cafés in tree-lined streets, or to Sangenjaya for working-Tokyo coffee at half the price.
How to Get There
Getting There
From Shibuya Station
- 1Take Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line → Ikejiri-Ohashi Station
- 2Walk south to canal → Roastery
Tips
- Weekday 08:00–10:00 = empty. 60-min queues at weekend peak; first hour weekday is walkway-clear.
- Try the Arriviamo bar. 3F coffee cocktails, different from the standard Starbucks; espresso-martini-level drinks.
- Sakura-season chaos. Don’t expect to enter during peak hanami; the canal-side queue is unmanageable.
FAQ
Is it really worth a special trip?
If you like coffee + architecture, yes. The Kengo Kuma building alone is photographable. If neither, skip and visit a normal Starbucks.
How long does the visit take?
30 min for a single coffee. 60-90 min for the full Teavana + Arriviamo + rooftop tour.
