[Nakameguro] A completely extraordinary experience! A thorough explanation of Starbucks Reserve Roastery. A luxurious morning in Tokyo

The other day, my husband suddenly said something completely out of the ordinary: “Hey, Momo, sometimes I want to spend my morning coffee time in a stylish, extraordinary space.” It turns out there’s a special Starbucks called the “Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo.” He’s usually satisfied with Doutor, so I wondered what kind of hustle he’d have. However, these kinds of outlandish remarks are exactly what my husband is known for.

I worried that it might be crowded, but my husband seemed oddly confident, saying, “It’ll be fine on a weekday morning.” And so, we decided to head to Nakameguro to experience his “extraordinary, luxurious morning coffee time.”

A gigantic Starbucks suddenly appears.

An invitation to a gigantic cafe space.

We arrived in Nakameguro at 9:00 AM on a weekday. After leaving the ticket gate, I followed my host for fifteen minutes along the Meguro River. Eventually, a massive building appeared before my eyes, like the entrance to another world. Its imposing presence was far too grand to be called just a cafe. Its lavish wooden exterior set it apart from the surrounding cityscape, emanating a truly extraordinary aura.

一歩足を踏み入れると、まるで別世界が広がっていた。天井はどこまでも高く、開放感に満ちていた。しかし、その広大な空間を埋め尽くす人々の多さに、私は目を丸くした。平日の朝なのに、こんなにたくさんの人がいるとは。しかも、日本人だけではない。耳を澄ませば、様々な言語が飛び交い、まるで国際会議場に迷い込んだかのような錯覚に陥った。

My host, too, was clearly bewildered by the sheer number of people and the complex space, where it was hard to know where to begin. He’s used to the standardized cash registers at Doutor, so it was only natural that things would be different. I found his confusion amusing.

The Roastery’s Labyrinth and the Unexpected Pitfalls of the Menu

Fortunately, a nearby staff member took pity on us and kindly guided us around the building. “The first floor has the cafe menu, the second floor has the tea menu, and the third floor has the alcohol menu. And on the fourth floor…” My husband listened intently to the explanation, just as if he were at work.

Apparently, the fourth floor is an event space and coffee seminar floor called “Amour.” What’s more, no matter which floor you order on, you can drink it anywhere in the building. My husband’s eyes lit up at this.

Now, what should we order? My husband had apparently done his research beforehand, and was about to order his long-awaited “Hot Cinnamon Latte,” but the staff member told him, “Sorry, this is a winter-only menu item…” A look of disappointment crossed his face. However, he quickly pulled himself together and began considering another menu item.

First Floor: A Coffee Festival, and My Husband’s Decision

We first headed to the cafe on the first floor. The first thing that caught our eye upon entering was a gigantic roaster.

私は本当にオタクなんです。

The fragrant aroma of roasting coffee beans filled the interior, truly stimulating all five senses. Huge barrels filled the walls, creating a feeling of a factory tour. Behind the glass, baristas skillfully brewed coffee, their earnest gazes revealing the soul of artisans.

My husband ordered the “Barreled Iced Coffee,” which he had already decided on. It was a surprising 1,500 yen. The staff member handed me the coffee in a stylish decanter-like container and a glass filled with a large block of ice, carefully explaining how to drink it.

Barrel-aged coffee?

“This coffee is made with beans aged in wine barrels. It’s alcohol-free, but it offers a unique flavor. Pour it little by little over the ice and enjoy the aroma slowly.”

なるほど、「樽」ってそういう意味か。それにしても、コーヒー一杯1500円というのは、ちょっと納得できない値段だ。店主は「コーヒーに1500円はちょっと高いけど、二度と来ないかもしれないから、これはお土産」と、自己弁護するように呟いた。これが人の性というものか。しかし、この非日常的な空間を考えると、それも楽しいのかもしれない。

A flurry of Instagrammable décor and the owner’s musings

After ordering on the first floor, we decided to explore the various floors of the store. This shop is packed with picturesque, Instagrammable features no matter where you look. Not to mention the gigantic roaster, the pipes transporting coffee beans crisscross the ceiling, making it look like a work of art. The shelves beautifully displaying coffee equipment, the unique furniture, and above all, the light streaming in through the windows, make the space even more magical. It would probably take 30 minutes just to take photos.

夫は樽入りのアイスコーヒーを手に、窓際の席に腰を下ろした。グラスには大きな透明な氷が入っており、ゆっくりとコーヒーを注ぎ、一口ずつ味わっていた。その表情は、まさに期待通りの贅沢な朝を謳歌しているようだった。その満足そうな顔を見て、私は安堵した。

Meanwhile, my husband took out his smartphone and typed a long LINE message to someone. He usually only sends brief messages, so I wondered who he was talking to and what he was talking about. I sneaked a peek, and the screen was filled with text, suggesting he was passionately sharing his experiences of the day. Afterward, he immersed himself in a book he’d brought with him on “concentrated investment.” Savoring coffee, communicating with others, and absorbing knowledge, my husband’s luxurious mornings are truly multifaceted.

Second Floor: The World of Tea and Cocktails

Next, we headed to the second floor. This floor, named “TEAVANA BAR,” is dedicated to tea. Various types of tea leaves are displayed, arranged beautifully like perfume bottles. Here, too, expert baristas carefully brew tea, creating an elegant atmosphere distinct from that of coffee. A giant tea caddy-like object hangs from the ceiling, adding a touch of elegance to the space. The gentle aroma of tea wafted through the air, creating a truly relaxing atmosphere.

Third Floor: An Adult Alcoholic Experience

The third floor, named “ARRIVIAMO BAR,” serves alcoholic beverages. Here, there’s a bar counter where you can enjoy coffee-infused cocktails, beer, wine, and more. Even during the day, you can see people sipping their drinks, creating a truly sophisticated atmosphere. A fireplace-like object creates an even more dazzling atmosphere at night.

Fourth Floor: The Mystery of Amour

そして最後は4階。ここはコーヒーに関するセミナーやイベントが開催されるフロア「AMU TOKYO」。取材時はイベントの予定はありませんでしたが、プロジェクターやスクリーンも備えた広々とした空間は、コーヒーに関する様々な学びの場として活用されているようです。まさに知的好奇心を満たし、コーヒーの奥深さを探求できる空間です。

The journey continues, our next destination…

The owner seemed very satisfied. However, there was still time left on this holiday. He glanced at his watch, seemingly pensive. After much deliberation, he suddenly said, “That’s right, Moumou, let’s go see the warships in Yokosuka!” and clapped me on the shoulder as if he were a genius.

ああ、夫の気まぐれは本当に面倒くさい。あんなに歩き回った挙句、また別の場所に連れて行かれるなんて、夫の気持ちになってみたいと思う。でも、これが夫の旅行スタイルなんだと思う。横須賀での奇妙な旅については、また後日詳しくお話しますね。