History Meets Coffee: Dazaifu Starbucks

Hello ~

｜Today, I would like to share with you my trip to Fukuoka - Dazaifu Starbucks (Tenmangu Omotesando Branch) 2024.05!

The most impressive thing about Dazaifu Starbucks is the unique arrangement of wooden bars!

The main content that we are going to share with you today includes:

• Store Overview
• Transportation
• Historical and cultural background
• Designer's Philosophy
• Architectural design
• Atmosphere and Spatial Design
• Lighting Design
• Environment and Sustainability
• Customer Experience
• Dazaifu Starbucks (Tenmangu Omotesando Branch) Information

Store Overview

Dazaifu Starbucks (Tenmangu Omotesando) is a unique Starbucks store located in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 2011, this Starbucks has become one of the local landmarks due to its special design and cultural atmosphere, combining tradition and modernity, making it one of the most distinctive features of Dazaifu.

Transportation

Dazaifu is located in the center of Fukuoka Prefecture and is part of Fukuoka City. Take the Nishitetsu train Dazaifu Line from Tenjin-minami Station and you will arrive at Dazaifu City in about half an hour. A 4-minute walk will take you to this unique Starbucks.

This journey is not only convenient, but also gives you the opportunity to experience the transition between city and nature in a short period of time, adding a different kind of fun to your trip.

History and Cultural Background

Dazaifu City has a rich historical and cultural background and is one of Japan's famous cultural heritage areas. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine attracts countless worshippers and visitors every year as a place of worship for Sugawara Michizane (菅原道真) / Sugawara no Michizane (すがわらのみちざね公), the God of Learning. Starbucks chose to open a store here as a tribute to the local culture. By blending traditional elements with modern design, this Starbucks is a bridge between the past and the present, providing visitors with a unique space to enjoy coffee and experience the local culture.

Designer's Concept

Mr. Kengo Kuma designed the Starbucks with the concept of "harmony and difference" in mind, emphasizing the harmony between the building and its environment, and striving to make the building a part of the natural landscape rather than an intruder. This design philosophy is reflected in every detail of the Dazaifu Starbucks, from the selection of wood strips to the lighting configurations, each of which demonstrates the designer's deep understanding of the harmony of nature.

Architectural Design

Located on Omotesando Road leading to the famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, this store was designed by renowned Japanese architect Mr. Kengo Kuma, with the overall style of the building based on the themes of "nature" and "fusion".

The building skillfully blends traditional and modern styles, and is mainly constructed of wood, using a large number of cedar strips, mainly made up of 2,000 slender strips of wood 1.3 to 4 meters long and 6 centimeters wide arranged diagonally in a staggered manner to form a unique geometrical pattern, with the total length connecting to 4.4 kilometers, forming a unique mesh structure, which not only gives the entire spatial visual sense of direction and fluidity, but also seems to be the same as the direction and fluidity of the entire space. This design not only gives the whole space a sense of direction and mobility, but also resembles the natural growth of trees, showing the harmony between nature and humanity. This design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also complements the surrounding natural landscape and the ancient Tianmangu Palace, contributing to the structural stability of the building and its harmonious aesthetic.

Interior Atmosphere and Spatial Design

The interior is warm and cozy, with the use of wood elements to create a strong sense of nature. The seating area is divided into indoor and outdoor areas, where customers can choose to enjoy the aroma of the coffee inside the store, or enjoy the view of Omotesando from the outdoor area, and each area has its own unique design style, which can satisfy the needs of individuals in solitude as well as accommodate a large number of people in a gathering. Each area has its own unique design style and can accommodate both individual and group gatherings. The interior of the store is simple yet sophisticated, providing a place for customers to relax and unwind.

Lighting Design

Lighting design also plays an important role in the whole building. The soft interior lighting, combined with the natural tones of the wood materials, creates a warm and relaxing environment; at night, the exterior lighting highlights the beautiful lines of the cedar structure, making the building even more striking at night. This lighting design not only adds to the visual effect of the building, but also provides practical lighting functions.

Environment and Sustainability

Starbucks Dazaifu also focuses on environmental protection and sustainability in its design and operations. Renewable wood was used for the building materials, and energy-saving lighting and water-saving equipment were used to reduce energy consumption in operations and minimize the impact on the environment. This emphasis on environmental protection not only reflects the designer's sense of social responsibility, but is also in line with the development trend of modern architecture.

Customer Experience

At Starbucks Dazaifu, customers don't just come for a cup of coffee, they come to experience a unique cultural journey. From the moment they step into the store, the strong aroma of wood and the unique design ambience are a reminder of the unique charm of this place. Here, customers can savor their coffee in a relaxing environment while enjoying the surrounding scenery and experiencing the unique cultural charm of Japan.

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of Starbucks Dazaifu, and if you ever have the chance to visit Fukuoka, don't miss out on this great place to enjoy coffee and experience culture at the same time!

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Dazaifu Starbucks (Tenmangu Omotesando Branch) Basic Information

📍 Address: 3-2-43, Dazaifu, Dazaifu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture

📞 Phone number: +81 92-919-5690

🕐 Business hours: 08:00-20:00

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