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 — Japanese tea presentations and matcha lattes. The 3F is Arriviamo — 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 — 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.
