A new Starbucks recently opened in Kuragaike Park in Toyota City.
Kuragaike Park is a large park with attractions such as a free zoo, and on weekends families with children come to spend the day there.
There are grassy open areas, so you can have a picnic or get some light exercise.
Since a Starbucks had opened in that very park, I simply had to go and check it out.
The Kuragaike Park Starbucks faces the pond, and the pond-facing side of the store is a terrace, with steps leading down outside it.
Inside there are various types of seating as well—sofas, two-person tables, and a large communal table—so it works for all sorts of purposes.
On nice days you can enjoy your Starbucks outdoors: on the terrace, on the steps facing the pond, or out on the grassy lawn. It’s a Starbucks that feels at one with nature.
Conversely, the interior is also well suited to studying a bit, reading a book, or just taking your time.
Kuragaike Park is a big park famous as a place for kids to play, so on holidays there’s often a line.
When I went it was around midday on a Saturday, and the line stretched outside the store.
You do have to wait a while to get your drink, but the interior is fairly spacious and there’s outdoor seating too, so even with a line you’ll find a few open seats inside.
The turnover is good, too ♪
It’s really nice not to have to worry about buying a drink and then having nowhere to sit and drink it.
Last time I went it was an extremely sunny day, and I read a book out on the terrace.
That said, it was so bright that my eyes started to hurt, so indoors might be the better choice for reading or studying.
My biggest concern is that Aichi Prefecture is extremely hot, with outdoor temperatures topping 40°C in summer.
So in the height of summer, a lot of people will probably come inside just to cool off.
The Kuragaike Park Starbucks is a wonderful Starbucks that blends right into nature.
Do give it a visit.