Starbucks Advances To Hirosaki, In Second Historic Site In Japan

AOMORI, JAPAN – APR. 20: American coffee shop chain Starbucks has advanced to Hirosaki, Aomori Pref., in northern Japan, known as the city of old castle, cherry blossom and apples, and the new cafe will be the second in Japan to open in a historic property. The Hirosaki Park Front cafe will open Wednesday April 22 in the building of former official residence of the commander of Eighth Division of Imperial Japanese Army based here. The building is registered by the national government as tangible cultural property and is just across Hirosaki Park. The park houses one of only few remaining original warlord castles in Japan and more than two thousand cherry trees, making the city one of Japan's best places to enjoy the cherry blossom. Hirosaki is also known to be the biggest apple growing and exporting city in whole Japan. Mayor Noriaki Kasai, who Starbucks officials said suggested the new franchise, said "tastes of coffee and the city's best apple pies specially fit nicely as the customers can feel very closely the natural atmosphere of the cherry park".