Visited 17.10.2015 (Sat)
Attraction. In Japan, Starbucks is more than a coffee house. In fact, there is a growing number of Starbucks branches which are visited by people as places of interest of a particular city/area in Japan. My first encounter of an asethetically mind blowing Starbucks was one located in the vicinity of Dazaifu Temangu 太宰府天満宮 in Fukuoka Prefecture, designed by renowned Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma 隈研吾. This time round, I visited this branch located near Hirosaki Park 弘前公園 which is one with a historical background. Opened in 2015, the retro looking building which Starbucks is housed in is called Kyudaihachi Shidancho Kansha 旧第八師団長官舎, formerly a residence of a division commander constructed in 1917 (Taisho 6), dismantled and reconstructed at its current location in 1959 (Showa 59). This is currently one of the few Starbucks branches which is housed in a tangible cultural property; Starbucks Kobe Kitanoijin kan スターバックス 神戸北野異人館 being one of them as well. Located strategically near the famous cherry blossom viewing spot (Hirosaki Koen), this particular branch has become increasingly popular with both locals and tourists, elevating it into an important place of interest in Hirosaki city.
Attraction. In Japan, Starbucks is more than a coffee house. In fact, there is a growing number of Starbucks branches which are visited by people as places of interest of a particular city/area in Japan. My first encounter of an asethetically mind blowing Starbucks was one located in the vicinity of Dazaifu Temangu 太宰府天満宮 in Fukuoka Prefecture, designed by renowned Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma 隈研吾. This time round, I visited this branch located near Hirosaki Park 弘前公園 which is one with a historical background. Opened in 2015, the retro looking building which Starbucks is housed in is called Kyudaihachi Shidancho Kansha 旧第八師団長官舎, formerly a residence of a division commander constructed in 1917 (Taisho 6), dismantled and reconstructed at its current location in 1959 (Showa 59). This is currently one of the few Starbucks branches which is housed in a tangible cultural property; Starbucks Kobe Kitanoijin kan スターバックス 神戸北野異人館 being one of them as well. Located strategically near the famous cherry blossom viewing spot (Hirosaki Koen), this particular branch has become increasingly popular with both locals and tourists, elevating it into an important place of interest in Hirosaki city.
Appealing. On our last day in Tohoku region, I decided to wake up earlier than usual and set off to visit several historical buildings (such as Aomori Bank Memorial Hall 青森銀行記念館, Former Hirosaki City Library 旧弘前市立図書館, Former Togijuku Missionary Residence 旧東奥義塾外人教師館) including this Starbucks branch which showcased western influence in its architectural style due to the presence of foreign missionaries in Hirosaki city in the earlier days. Upon arriving at Starbucks, I was already attracted to its retro yet chic exterior and could not wait to enter this tiled roofed, standalone coffee house.
Soak up. Curious like a child, I explored every corner of the building. In one room furnished with leather armchairs, there is a group of photo frames hung on the wall, documenting the past of this building. I love one particular section where patrons can look out to a small backyard garden through the wooden sliding doors with glass panels, while sipping their drinks. The entire enclosure is well illuminated by natural lighting from the outside; do pay attention to the wood flooring patterns utilised in different sections as well - one of them actually resembled a floor laid with tatami mats, thus incorporating some Japanese elements into its interior design as well.
Unfortunately, I could only spend a couple of minutes here to drink my cafe latte before I had to head back to the hotel for breakfast and check out. How nice it would have been if I could enjoy my coffee and spend the rest of the morning here, to soak up the pleasant atmosphere.
======
Starbucks Hirosaki Koen-mae スターバックス 弘前公園前店
036-8207 青森県 弘前市 上白銀町1-1
Operating hours: 0700 - 2100 hrs
http://www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/gaiyou/bunkazai/kuni/kuni-touroku1.html
https://store.starbucks.co.jp/detail-1302/
How to get there?
(1) By foot. About 18 mins walk from Konan Railway Chuo Hirosaki Station 弘南鉄道中央弘前駅.
(2) By Dotemachi loop bus 土手町循環バス.
Board the bus from Platform #2 outside Hirosaki JR Station Chuo Exit 弘前駅中央口 and alight at Shiyakusho-mae 市役所前. About a minute walk from the bus stop.
http://www.konanbus.com/coin.html
