This Stunning Starbucks In Japan Is A Dreamy Piece Of History

And it fits in with its surroundings to a "tea."
The unique Starbucks is located in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district.
Starbucks Japan
The unique Starbucks is located in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district.

This beautiful Starbucks in Japan would be anyone’s cup of tea.

The coffee chain’s new franchise location in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district doesn’t look anything like your typical Starbucks.

The cafe actually runs out of a renovated 100-year-old wooden townhouse where a noren, or Japanese curtain divider, hangs in the entry. Not only is it Instagram gold, but the shop also reflects the area’s heritage and complements the scenery.

An exterior view of Kyoto's new Starbucks branch on June 30, 2017.
Christopher Jue/Getty Images
An exterior view of Kyoto's new Starbucks branch on June 30, 2017.

“As this store is in an area of great cultural significance, we feel a responsibility to be the stewards of the building’s traditional architecture and ensure that it remains an integral part of its historic neighborhood for many years to come,” Takafumi Minaguchi, CEO of Starbucks Coffee Japan, told CNN.

The franchise’s interior is also unique. In three of the rooms, customers can take off their shoes and sit down on traditional straw tatami mats and cushions made with Kyoto’s signature chirimen fabric, according to a HuffPost translation of the Starbucks press release.

This Kyoto Starbucks features rooms with tatami mats.
Christopher Jue/Getty Images
This Kyoto Starbucks features rooms with tatami mats.

And on the ground floor, there are three traditional Japanese gardens featuring tsukubai, or ritual stone washbasins ― basically making for the corporate chain’s prettiest coffeehouse ever.

A view of one of the Japanese traditional gardens at Kyoto's traditional-style Starbucks branch.
Christopher Jue/Getty Images
A view of one of the Japanese traditional gardens at Kyoto's traditional-style Starbucks branch.
The location has three serene gardens.
Christopher Jue/Getty Images
The location has three serene gardens.

Because the shop is nestled in a historic neighborhood ― and not far from Kiyomizu Temple, one of Kyoto’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites ― it must comply with the city’s strict rules to preserve its culture and community, the press release said.

So the shop doesn’t allow visitors to wait outside. It also restricts the amount of people allowed in the cafe.

Customers sit inside Kyoto's new Starbucks branch during its grand opening on June 30, 2017.
Christopher Jue/Getty Images
Customers sit inside Kyoto's new Starbucks branch during its grand opening on June 30, 2017.

The Starbucks has been open for less than two months, but it’s already become a popular spot for visitors, who rate it nearly four out of five stars on Google.

Judging by the photos, it’s easy to see why a “latte” of people would be gushing over it.

A Starbucks employee prepares drinks for customers inside Kyoto's new Starbucks branch on June 30, 2017.
Christopher Jue/Getty Images
A Starbucks employee prepares drinks for customers inside Kyoto's new Starbucks branch on June 30, 2017.

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