Do you know “Concept Store” of Starbucks? “Kobe Kitano Ijinkan Store”, “Neighborhood and Coffee Store” and brand new “Kobe Meriken Park Store”. These three stores located in KOBE have special characteristics which distinguish them from other common Starbucks stores. They are far from just chain coffee shops. If you visit or live in KOBE they are worth visiting.
Kobe Kitano Ijinkan
“Ijinkan”（異人館）literally means a building for foreign people. Since KOBE city has a long history as an international port city, there are many old buildings still exist, where foreign people used to live. American family was living in this two-story house in the beginning of 20 century.
The building was so damaged by the Great Hanshin-awaji Earthquake in 1995 that it was torn down to pieces. The architectural materials were preserved and in 2001 it was rebuilt. From 2009 Starbucks operates this special cafe.
This cafe is well designed for being reminiscent of old western style house. It has a lounge, a dining room, a guest room and a terrace space. All the sections are differently designed and each room has some special furnishing goods.
“Kobe Kitano Ijinkan” is a basically busy place, because it’s so popular for travellers. If you want to have a cozy time here, you might be better to come in morning.
Shop Info
Open：8:00-22:00
Regular holiday： Irregular
Address：Hyogo Chuo-ku Kobe 3-1-31Kitanocho Kitano Monogatarikan
10 minutes walk from Sannomiya Station
TEL：078-230-6302
WEB：Kobe Kitano Ijinkan | Starbucks
Neighborhood and Coffee Nakayamate-dori 2-chome
“Neighborhood and Coffee Nakayamate-dori 2-chome” is one of “Neighborhood Store”. They are only eight shops in Japan and this is the only one store in the Western Japan.
“Nakayamate-dori 2-chome” has special espresso makers. This coffee definitely tastes better than common drip coffee served from other Starbucks stores.
Food menu is also distinguished from other stores. I tried this “Candied Almond Sundae”. You know, it’s great!
Alcoholic beverages are also available here.
One more characteristics of “Nakayamate-dori 2-chome” is a cozy room for your pet. You can stay here with your lovely dog and cat.
Shop Info
Open：[Mon-Fri] 8:00-22:00 [Holiday] 7:30-22:00
Regular holiday： Irregular
Address：Hyogo Chuo-ku Kobe 2-24-1 Nakayamate-dori WAKOHRE THE TOR ROAD RESIDENCE
8 minutes walk from Sannomiya Station
TEL：078-222-0230
WEB：Neighborhood and Coffee Nakayamate-dori 2-chome | Starbucks
“Kobe Meriken Park” Store will open on 21 April 2017. This building is designed as a cruse ship. Since the cafe locates very close to the Kobe Port, you would enjoy a great scenery of the streets of Kobe, Kobe Port Tower and the Port of Kobe. You might feel like sailing a cruse ship over a cup of coffee.
Shop Info
Kobe Meriken Park Store
Address：Hyogo Chuo-ku Kobe 2-4 Hatobacho
Open：8:00－22:00
This store is inside Meriken Park.
Hope you have a good time there
I believe these three Starbucks Concept Stores are worth visiting. Hope you have a good time there.
Why not get a special mug or tumbler? It must be a nice a souvenir.
They are KOBE ver.
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「Neighborhood and Coffee 中山手通2丁目店」は全国に８店舗しかない「Neighborhood Store」のひとつ。そのほとんどが東京で、関西にはこの神戸の店舗が唯一です。コンセプトは「近隣に住む人がゆっくりくつろげる空間」。こちらは他のスターバックスにはないオリジナルメニューがあるほか、ペットと一緒に店内でくつろげるスペースがあります。
「神戸北野異人館店」やニューオープンの「神戸メリケンパーク店」は店舗の特徴はもちろん立地的に観光に最適なお店です。「Neighborhood and Coffee」は食べ物や飲み物が美味しいので、ちょっと特別なひとときを堪能するのにちょうど良さそうですね。特色ある神戸のスターバックスはどれも魅力的です。
