Your Japanese Lifestyle Handbook

Your Japanese Lifestyle Handbook

Exploring Umeda: The Ultimate Starbucks Guide

Are you a Starbucks lover?

Starbucks holds a unique charm in Japan, often seen as a special destination for coffee enthusiasts and lifestyle seekers alike.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the vibrant Umeda area, where Starbucks’ growing popularity has led to the opening of numerous new stores in recent years. This lively area has become a hub for diverse lifestyles and café culture.

As a personal touch to this story, receiving a Starbucks lucky bag earlier this year promises even more delightful visits ahead, adding a sprinkle of serendipity to the experience.

The magic words: ‘Let’s go to Starbucks!’

When it comes to Starbucks, it offers a unique chance to indulge in a little luxury. While its prices are slightly higher compared to other coffee chains like Doutor or Saint-Marc, many Japanese people are drawn to the experience and ambiance that Starbucks uniquely provides.

Stepping into a Starbucks feels like entering an urban oasis. The warm interior design, soft lighting, soothing music, and above all, the outstanding hospitality of its staff create an inviting atmosphere. It’s not just about getting coffee—it’s about enjoying the “comfort” and the “stylish ambiance” that make Starbucks special.

And then there’s that phrase: “Let’s go to Starbucks.” Simply saying it can make you feel a bit more fashionable, doesn’t it?

When you suggest to a friend, “How about grabbing some coffee at Starbucks?”, it somehow turns an ordinary moment into something extraordinary!

The seasonal menus and Instagram-worthy drinks are also irresistible. In spring, there’s the Sakura Frappuccino, in summer, refreshing fruit-based drinks, in autumn, cozy chestnut or sweet potato flavors, and in winter, cups with festive holiday decorations—each tempting you to enjoy that “limited-time-only” feeling.

The act of going to Starbucks itself might just be a way to savor a small slice of the extraordinary in everyday life.

Recommended Starbucks around Umeda

Osaka’s ‘Kita’ and ‘Minami’ are two central areas that represent the heart of the city. ‘Kita’ refers to the Umeda area, while ‘Minami’ is centered around Namba. ‘Kita’ is known for its urban and sophisticated atmosphere, whereas ‘Minami’ is characterized by its lively and energetic vibe.

The Umeda area continues to evolve.

In 2024, the northern side of JR Osaka Station, known as the Umekita area, celebrated its grand opening, with full completion scheduled for 2027. The opening of numerous commercial facilities and office buildings has contributed to a surge in Starbucks locations—there are now more than 30 stores just in the Umeda area!

Starbucks Coffee LINKS UMEDA 2nd Floor Store

Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

This is the “Starbucks Forest.”

The interior furniture and design extensively feature Osaka-produced chestnut wood and Kawachi timber. Surrounded by Osaka’s towering skyscrapers, this Starbucks “forest” creates a space where you feel as though you’re taking a refreshing forest bath, enveloped by trees and the fragrant aroma of coffee, offering a truly relaxing atmosphere.

Conveniently located inside the Yodobashi Camera Umeda building, it’s the perfect Starbucks to visit during a shopping break.

Starbucks Coffee TSUTAYA Umeda MeRISE

Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

The “TSUTAYA Umeda MeRISE” store, located on the first floor of Kansai University Umeda Campus, is a book café open to the general public. One of its key attractions is the ability to spend time reading books from the adjacent TSUTAYA bookstore. The glass-walled, high-ceilinged interior creates a spacious and stylish atmosphere. The café features large communal desks, individual tables, and terrace seating. Situated slightly away from the bustling center of Umeda, it’s an excellent spot for studying or working on your laptop.

Starbucks Coffee Grand Front Osaka North Building 1F Store

Hours:

Open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Starbucks’ tea brand, “TEAVANA,” offers a unique experience. The spacious interior features high ceilings and a green-themed design, creating a sense of openness and brightness. Compared to standard Starbucks stores, the wood-toned decor adds a lighter, airier feel. The menu focuses on tea beverages, allowing guests to enjoy high-quality teas made with premium TEAVANA tea leaves. There is another Starbucks nearby that specializes in tea.

It’s truly an appealing spot for tea enthusiasts!

Starbucks Coffee LUCUA 2nd Floor Store

Hours:

Open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

This Starbucks is directly connected to JR Osaka Station. Located on the 2nd floor of LUCUA, the store has no seating, so it’s recommended to grab your drink to-go and enjoy it at the Grand Front or Grand Green. Next to the Starbucks is a flower shop, which you can browse while waiting for your drink.

Starbucks Hopping in Umeda: Coffee and Strolls!

Here’s a list of Starbucks locations in Umeda. Using Tabelog to search for your favorite stores is another great idea too.

Grab your favorite drink to-go and relax at my recommended spots!

  1. Osaka Garden City Store 3-3-20, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Meiji Yasuda Life Osaka Building
  2. Eki Marche Osaka Store 3-1-1, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
  3. TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Inogate Osaka Store 3-2-123, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inogate Osaka, 6th Floor
  4. JR Osaka Station North Store 3-1-1, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside JR Osaka Station, 1st Floor
  5. Umeda IMA Store 1-12-6, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Umeda IMA, Basement 2nd Floor
  6. KITTE Osaka Store 3-2-2, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka KITTE Osaka, 6F, Spaces 615/616
  7. Sakurabashi Plaza Building Store 1-4-12, Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sakurabashi Plaza Building
  8. Nakanoshima Mitsui Building Store 3-3-3, Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Nakanoshima Mitsui Building
  9. Grand Front Osaka South Building 6th Floor Store 4-20, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Grand Front Osaka South Building, 6th Floor
  10. LINKS UMEDA Basement 1st Floor Store 1-1, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Yodobashi Umeda Tower LINKS UMEDA, Basement 1st Floor
  11. LINKS UMEDA 2nd Floor Store 1-1, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Yodobashi Umeda Tower LINKS UMEDA, 2nd Floor
  12. LINKS UMEDA 8th Floor Store 1-1, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Yodobashi Umeda Tower LINKS UMEDA, 8th Floor
  13. Grand Front Osaka North Building 1st Floor Store 3-1, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Grand Front Osaka North Building, 1st Floor
  14. Chayamachi Applause Tower Store 19-19, Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Applause Tower, 1st Floor
  15. TSUTAYA Umeda MeRISE Store 1-5, Tsuruno-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
  16. NU Chayamachi Plus Store 8-26, Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka NU Chayamachi Plus, Space 109
  17. Umeda HEP FIVE 7th Floor Store 5-15, Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka HEP FIVE, 7th Floor
  18. Umeda EST Store 3-25, Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka EST
  19. Hankyu Sun Plaza Underground Mall Store 8-47, Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hankyu Sun Plaza Underground Mall, Basement 1st Floor
  20. Umeda HEP FIVE 3rd Floor Store 5-15, Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka HEP FIVE, 3rd Floor
  21. Whity Umeda Store 3-6, Doyama-cho, Umeda Underground Mall, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka East Mall, Whity Umeda
  22. Daimaru Umeda Store 3-1-1, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Daimaru Osaka Umeda Store
  23. LUCUA 9th Floor Store 3-1-3, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka LUCUA, 9th Floor
  24. LUCUA 2nd Floor Store 3-1-3, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka LUCUA, 2nd Floor
  25. Hanshin Umeda Main Store Basement 2nd Floor Store 1-13-13, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hanshin Umeda Main Store, Basement 2nd Floor
  26. Hanshin Umeda Main Store 9th Floor Store 1-13-13, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hanshin Umeda Main Store, 9th Floor
  27. Hankyu Umeda Main Store 9th Floor Store 8-7, Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Hankyu Umeda Main Store, 9th Floor
  28. LUCUA 1100 2nd Floor Grand Marche Store 3-1-3, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
  29. LUCUA 1100 2nd Floor Atrium Garden Store 3-1-3, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
  30. LUCUA Osaka Basement 2nd Floor Store 3-1-3, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka LUCUA Osaka, Basement 2nd Floor
  31. Umeda Tsutaya Bookstore 3-1-3, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka LUCUA 1100, 9th Floor

3 Recommended Spots in Umeda to Enjoy Your Starbucks Takeout

On a beautiful day with clear blue skies, grabbing your favorite drink from Starbucks to-go and spending some leisurely time outdoors is such a delightful way to enjoy the day, isn’t it? Sitting on a park bench feeling the breeze, or enjoying the view by the riverside with a coffee in hand… it’s the perfect moment to refresh both your mind and body.

You might wonder, ‘Can you really do that in the city?’ Well, in Umeda, you can.

Here are three spots where you can connect with nature while still being in the heart of the city.

Grand Green

Relaxing on the green lawn with a Starbucks coffee in hand is a perfect way to refresh both your mind and body. Especially when you can leisurely enjoy the view of skyscrapers, it offers a unique charm that only the city can provide. It’s a wonderful moment to experience the harmony between nature and urban life.

On weekends, you often see families having picnics here, and in summer, children excitedly play around the fountains.

The Umeda Sky Building looks so cool when seen across the lawn.

Of course, the night view is stunning as well, making it worth a visit even after dark.

Grand Front

Around Grand Front Osaka, there are also great resting spots, perfect for those who prefer to avoid crowds. Near the North Building of Grand Front, you’ll find tables and benches where you can relax and enjoy a quieter atmosphere. Whether you’re sipping on your favorite Starbucks drink or just taking a breather, this area offers a calm oasis in the bustling city.

Umeda Sky Building

How about the courtyard at the base of the Umeda Sky Building? This small, forest-like space offers a serene setting where you can look up at the towering Sky Building while enjoying a Starbucks break. It might just be one of the most quintessentially Osaka ways to spend your time.

Morning Deals Until 11 AM! Start Your Day Right at Starbucks

The Japanese proverb “Early rising is worth three mon” means that waking up early brings certain benefits or good things. The term “mon” refers to an old currency unit, and today, it is often interpreted as representing “a small gain.”

However, the proverb still conveys a powerful message about the value of rising early.

Actually, waking up early and going to Starbucks comes with a benefit.

When you purchase an eligible food item along with an eligible drink, you can enjoy a free size upgrade for the drink!

Eligible drinks include Drip Coffee, Caffè Misto, Starbucks Latte, Soy Latte, Almond Milk Latte, and Oat Milk Latte. You can enjoy a free size upgrade, meaning you can order a Tall for the price of a Short, a Grande for the price of a Tall, and a Venti for the price of a Grande!

Eligible Food Items:

  • Coarse-Ground Sausage Patty & Scrambled Egg English Muffin
  • Coarse-Ground Sausage Pie
  • Sugar Donut

Eligible Drinks:

  • Drip Coffee
  • Caffè Misto
  • Starbucks Latte
  • Soy Latte
  • Almond Milk Latte
  • Oat Milk Latte
  • Decaf Latte
  • Starbucks Blonde Latte with Oat Milk

Moreover, “One More Coffee” is available!

If you order a drip coffee, you can also get a “One More Coffee.” With your receipt, you can enjoy a refill at any Starbucks in Japan on the same day. For example, you can have your first cup in-store and take your second cup to go.

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