Kobe's Kitano Ijinkan district—I made a special trip to visit this very distinctive Starbucks. The store was converted from the two-story wooden Western-style building “Kitano Monogatari.” The exterior retains the distinct charm of the ijinkan district and is truly different from a typical Starbucks.
Inside, you can also feel the atmosphere of a vintage Western-style house. The wooden architecture and warm interior design give it a real sense of history. Sitting inside with a cup of coffee feels less like simply buying a drink and more like stepping into an old Western-style house filled with stories.
