Starbucks Introduces 'Borrow a Cup' Program

Feb 14, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - When ordering a drink at Starbucks Coffee, what kind of cup do you choose? Some people opt for the in-store mugs or glasses, while others bring their own tumblers from home. But what if you want to take your drink out and find carrying a tumbler inconvenient? Well, there's a new option available: "borrow a cup."

"Borrow a cup?" I came across this sign at a Starbucks in Shibuya. Alongside the options for "in-store mug," "in-store glass," and "personal tumbler," there was a mention of "borrow a cup." This option allows you to have your drink served in a stainless steel tumbler. Not only is there no rental fee, but you also get a 20-yen discount for using a tumbler. Plus, it boasts better heat retention than paper cups...sounds like all good news, right?

To use this service, a simple process is required. You'll need to scan a QR code, and it might be best to try it when you're not in a rush for the first time. And yes, you can take it outside! After borrowing, you're not limited to enjoying your drink inside the store; you can also take it out with you. You can return the tumbler to the store you borrowed it from, or any other participating store.

While you can't seal the drinking hole and put it in your bag, you can enjoy your drink on a park bench or borrow one on your way to school or the office and return it on your way back—there are various ways to use it. When returning, simply place the tumbler at the designated spot in the store and scan the QR code to complete the return process. There's no need to wash it before returning.

This highly convenient "borrow a cup" service is currently implemented in 39 stores, including 18 in the Marunouchi area, 16 in Shibuya, 2 in Meguro-Osaki, and 3 in Nagoya. According to a public relations representative from Starbucks Coffee Japan, the pilot program began at the end of November 2021 in stores around Marunouchi and has since expanded.

The representative also suggested enjoying a walk around the Imperial Palace with a drip coffee in a "borrow a cup" from a store in the Marunouchi area and returning it at the Wadakura Fountain Park store outside the palace. Additionally, "It's also recommended for taking home a Frappuccino while keeping it cold. It doesn't condense, so it's comfortable to carry!"

Next time you visit a store offering the "borrow a cup" service, why not give it a try?

Source: MDPR

Toyota to Launch Self-Driving Taxis in 2027

Toyota Motor will begin operating fully autonomous taxis in 2027 through a partnership with U.S. self-driving technology company Waymo, marking a major step in the Japanese automaker's efforts to expand driverless transportation services.

Mount Fuji Puts on First Snowcap

Mount Fuji has received its first snowcap of the season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on October 30, after temperatures at the summit plunged to minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, marking the arrival of winter conditions on Japan's highest mountain.

Chinese Female Spy Suspected of Targeting Nvidia Chief

U.S. intelligence agencies suspect that a Chinese female intelligence operative developed a close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in an attempt to obtain confidential corporate and U.S. government information, according to a report published by The New York Times on October 29th.

Japan Blocks Websites Leaking GMO Personal Data

The Japanese government has asked major telecommunications operators to forcibly block access to websites believed to contain personal information stolen in a cyberattack on GMO, it emerged on October 29th, as authorities moved to prevent further exposure of sensitive data online.

Typhoon No. 31 Heads Toward Japan's Remote Islands

Typhoon No. 31 was located near Minamitorishima Island in the Pacific Ocean, as of 3 a.m. on October 30, and was expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo over the October 31-November 1 weekend while maintaining very strong intensity, bringing a growing risk of dangerously high waves, powerful swells and extremely rough seas.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Food NEWS

Hokkaido Bankers Work the Fields to Guide New Farmers

Hokuyo Bank has launched an agricultural initiative in Hokkaido aimed at addressing a growing shortage of farmers and agricultural workers, with bank employees taking to the fields themselves to gain practical experience and help aspiring farmers and businesses enter the industry through financial assistance, technical training, and hands-on guidance.

Japan Egg Prices Hit Record High of 312 Yen

Egg prices in Japan have reached a new record high of 312 yen per pack, while imported beef and chicken thigh prices have also matched their previous peaks, adding to the growing burden on household food budgets.

Ramen of the Future?

Students at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a 100% plant-based creamy shrimp miso ramen that recreates the rich flavor of seafood without using shrimp or meat, offering a glimpse of a future in which people with different dietary restrictions can enjoy the same meals.

Japan's New Rice Prices Plunge 42%

Japan's new rice harvest is reaching stores at significantly lower prices, with initial trading prices for the 2026 crop falling 42% from a year earlier and some supermarkets selling freshly harvested rice for around 2,000 yen per 5 kilograms, creating an unusual situation in which new rice is cheaper than older stocks.

Stricter Visa Rules Threaten Foreign-Owned Restaurants in Japan

Foreign business owners in Japan are facing growing financial pressure following a sharp increase in the capital required to obtain a business management visa, with an Indian curry restaurant in Shizuoka warning that it may be forced to close unless its sales quadruple.

Move Over Matcha: Purple Ube Becomes Global Sensation

A vibrant purple ingredient from the Philippines is gaining popularity around the world, with ube, a type of yam known for its mild sweetness and striking color, emerging as a potential successor to matcha in the global dessert market.

Highly Poisonous Mushrooms Spread Across Mount Takao

Highly poisonous mushrooms capable of causing severe skin damage through contact and even death if eaten are appearing in large numbers on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, raising concerns for hikers and families as unusually hot summer weather and prolonged autumn rainfall have created ideal conditions for fungal growth.

Nagoya's 1.5-Kilogram Noodle Challenge

A long-established noodle shop in Nagoya has become known for extraordinarily large servings, including its signature "Pitcher Koro," a 1.5-kilogram dish combining kishimen, soba and udon in a giant pitcher.

< 2 3 4 5 >