MILAN – UK coffee chain Costa Coffee recently opened its first Japanese location in the Shibuya district, in Tokyo. This will be followed by a second opening in Otemachi in September, while the flagship store’s launch in Ginza is due in October.
According to local media, Costa stores will feature a bright and uplifting interior space that uses Costa Red and Costa Pink accents consistent with the brand’s new design being introduced globally.
Sojitz Royal Café Corporation, a joint venture company by Sojitz Corporation and Royal Holdings Co., Ltd., acquired the exclusive franchise rights of the chain in Japan in early 2023.
Costa aims to become the largest café chain in Japan, which is home to an estimated 65,000 coffee and tea shops. Starbucks is currently the market leader in Japan, followed by domestic chains such as Douter Coffee Shop and Komeda’s Coffee
Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa Coffee has more than 4,000 stores across 45 countries.
The chain was acquire in 2018 by soft drinks giant Coca-Cola in a near-£4bn deal.