Blended well into Kyoto atmosphere...

There is a Starbucks Coffee near ”平等院鳳凰堂” (Byoudouin Hououdou Temple) in Uji, Kyoto. As a Starbucks lover, why not have a cup of coffee to take a break after that busy morning?

Since I started the morning in Kyoto from 6:30 to visit "伏見稲荷大社” (Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine), it was still around 10:30 when I went in there after visiting ”平等院鳳凰堂” (Byoudouin Hououdou). 

I found only few guests in very quiet and peaceful atmosphere. I ordered a Soy Latte, and took a seat to see a nice garden view. Even after a while, it was surprisingly still quiet in the cafe, and so I really could enjoy a peaceful time with a cup of coffee. 

Compared to a Starbucks in ”二年坂” (Ninenzaka Street) near ”清水寺“ (Kiyomizu Temple), this one is blended much better into Japanese traditional Kyoto atmosphere with the Starbucks image concept. 

The one in ”二年坂” (Ninenzaka Street) was designed and refromed using a Japanese traditional house called ”町屋” (Machiya), and they might have faced a limitation to bring more Starbucks concept as following the Landscape Protection Ordinance. 

And I felt a bit inconvenience in operation from ordering to the receipt. I could not find any comfortable seat and moment inside because of the full of guest and seat designing. 

However this is very very different. They designed this store prior to the Starbucks image concept, and added some Japanese traditional tastes in it. They must have built up everything on a vacant lot. That's why they didn't loose the Starbucks good taste, and succeeded in blending themselves well into Japanese Traditional Kyoto taste. 

Really well done! 

It has become one of my favorite Starbucks in Japan. 

Highly recommend!

Masami