Snow Peak Land Station Hakuba Starbucks

One of the purposes of my trip to Japan is to visit various Starbucks locations, and this time, I returned to Hakuba after six years. Previously, I took a bus from Nagano and then traveled to Matsumoto or Suwa via the limited express Azusa, which runs only 1-2 times a day. Back then, I visited a Starbucks located at an altitude of 1,680 meters by taking a ropeway. Although it is the highest Starbucks in the world, it is not an official store but a "We Proudly Serve Starbucks®" location. They serve basic menu items using the same beans and machines as regular Starbucks stores. Enjoying Starbucks on a mountaintop was truly an artful experience. This time, I visited a newly opened official Starbucks near Hakuba Station, which opened during the COVID-19 period. This Starbucks is considered one of the most scenic in Japan. Similar to those located in parks, it offers breathtaking views of the Northern Alps, with peaks reaching up to 3,000 meters, right in front of your eyes. I had planned to visit during the winter of 2022 while staying in Nagano, but I had to cancel due to travel difficulties. This time, I stayed in Toyama and made my way there. From Itoigawa Station in Niigata Prefecture, I traveled for an hour to Minami-Otari Station, the final stop. From there, I transferred to a train heading towards Matsumoto and arrived at Hakuba Station after about 20 minutes. The Starbucks is a 7-8 minute walk from the station. It is located in a building that also houses ski and camping gear shops as well as a restaurant. The exterior of the building resembles the Starbucks in Dazaifu because it was designed by the same architect, the renowned Kengo Kuma. As a side note, one of his architectural works recently opened in Seocho-gu, Seoul. I also heard that he is working on the Lotte Tower in Busan, which is scheduled to open in 2028, though its completion date remains uncertain. 🤣 The highlight of the Hakuba Starbucks is not its exterior but the stunning view from its terrace. The lawn in front of the terrace is also used as a campsite. The terrace seating features camping chairs, allowing visitors to enjoy Starbucks while breathing in the fresh air and taking in the magnificent view of the Northern Alps. One of the partners at this location had traveled to Jeju Island and was studying Korean, so I was delighted to receive a message cup after a long time. They even wrote "Thank you" in Korean, which was very touching. I spent about an hour simply gazing at the scenery, lost in thought. It was a moment of pure immersion in the beauty of nature, offering a break from everyday life. The partner mentioned that winter is the most beautiful season and invited me to visit again. This is a must-visit destination with no regrets. Thank you.