Inside Japan’s First All-White Starbucks Café

When a crowd of fans lined up outside a brand-new Starbucks in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district on the afternoon of December 22, they weren’t just there for the usual holiday drinks. They were waiting to step into Japan’s first ever completely white Starbucks — a seasonal pop-up that looked more like an Arctic research station than a coffee chain.

In short: Yes, there is a fully white Starbucks in Japan. Called White Winter Starbucks, it’s the country’s first all-white Starbucks location, with a custom winter menu that launched early, plus an immersive snow-field interior by award-winning architects. It’s only open for the winter season.

What Makes White Winter Starbucks Different?

This isn’t your neighborhood Starbucks. White Winter Starbucks has its own exclusive beverage and food menu — including seasonal drinks and cakes — that went on sale here before anywhere else in Japan, starting December 22, four days ahead of the official December 26 national release.

Why Is It All White?

The entire store — inside and out — was painted pure white. Japanese architecture firm Suppose Design Office, known for its experiential retail spaces, designed the café around the concept of a “snowfield.” The visual theme is carried through with bright white walls, floors, and furnishings, while custom lighting mimics the warm glow of winter sunlight. For sound, the café uses soft, sound-absorbing white materials to cut down on noise, paired with strategically placed speakers that play ambient “winter sounds,” enhancing the sensory illusion of being out on a quiet snowy plain. The result? A serene, insulated coffee refuge in the middle of bustling Tokyo.

A History of White Starbucks in Japan

This isn’t the first time Starbucks has gone monochrome in Japan. Back in 2012, the brand collaborated with design studio nendo to create a temporary “Starbucks Espresso Journey” pop-up. That location used ivory-colored shelving and flooring to evoke warmth and quiet, encouraging visitors to browse coffee-themed books and even trade reading for coffee. That project gained international attention for blending retail, design, and coffee education. While less conceptual, the current all-white Starbucks in Shinjuku takes the aesthetic approach even further — immersing customers not just visually, but sonically and materially.

What’s On the Menu at White Winter Starbucks?

While the full menu hasn’t been publicly listed, the café exclusively served limited-edition winter beverages and pastries beginning December 22. These items — including holiday-themed drinks like vanilla-based frappuccinos — weren’t available in other Starbucks locations in Japan until December 26. The early access gives visitors a first taste of the season’s offerings in a uniquely designed setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the all-white Starbucks in Japan located?

The White Winter Starbucks is located in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. It’s a temporary, winter-only location designed by Suppose Design Office, and it opened on December 22, 2015.

What makes the White Winter Starbucks different from regular Starbucks?

Aside from its entirely white interior and exterior, the café features a custom-designed winter menu available before other Starbucks stores in Japan, along with an immersive snow-field atmosphere created by soundproofing, ambient lighting, and soundscapes meant to simulate a quiet winter landscape.

Did Starbucks do a white-themed café in Japan before?

Yes. In 2012, Starbucks worked with nendo to create a pop-up called the “Starbucks Espresso Journey,” which used ivory tones and bookshelves to create a cozy, library-like space focused on coffee education and appreciation.

When did White Winter Starbucks open?

White Winter Starbucks opened on the afternoon of December 22, 2015. Its exclusive menu launched that day, while the general winter menu rolled out nationwide on December 26.

Is White Winter Starbucks still open?

The article states that the café was operational as of December 2015 and described as a “winter limited” experience, implying it was only open for the season. There is no confirmation of it being a permanent location.

Who designed the White Winter Starbucks?

The café was designed by Suppose Design Office, a well-known Japanese architecture and design studio, which also emphasizes experiential and sensory retail environments.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Winter Lattes

For winter-themed coffee drinks inspired by cafés like Japan’s White Winter Starbucks, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera — bright with citrus and floral notes — or Yirgacheffe, offering juicy berry sweetness and soft acidity. Both shine in milk-based drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.