Been There – Kyoto

Starbucks Been There Kyoto is a mug for one of the oldest municipalities in Japan.

Founded in 794 CE as Heian-kyō, Kyoto served as Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium, shaping the nation’s cultural and spiritual identity. The city emerged as a center of aristocratic culture, Buddhist scholarship, and artistic innovation during the Heian period. Despite fires, wars, and modernization, Kyoto preserved its cultural heritage through centuries, maintaining its status as Japan’s cultural heart even after the imperial capital moved to Tokyo in 1868.… Read more

Discovery Series – The Bronx

Discovery Series The Bronx is a mug for the only New York City borough that is part of the United States mainland.

The Bronx was named after Jonas Bronck, a Swedish sea captain who settled in the area in 1639. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the region remained largely rural, dotted with farms and estates owned by prominent New York families. The borough underwent a massive transformation in the late 19th century with the arrival of elevated trains and subway lines, spurring rapid urbanization and population growth.… Read more

Discovery Series – Orange County

Starbucks consistently mentioned this county from the Los Angeles metropolitan area in its series of merchandise: here’s a mug from YAH and another one from Icons. It was skipped for the Been There Collection, but now makes a return in the form of Discovery Series Orange County.

Orange County’s story began in 1889, when it was officially separated from Los Angeles County. The name originated from the vast orange groves that once dominated the landscape, with citrus farming being the region’s primary economic driver in its early years.… Read more

Been There – Virginia Tech

Been There Virginia Tech is the latest addition to the Campus Collection set of mugs.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech, was founded in 1872 as Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. The institution began with just 132 students and has grown into one of Virginia’s largest universities, becoming a leading research institution in the United States. Throughout its history, the school has evolved from its agricultural and mechanical roots to become a comprehensive university offering more than 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.… Read more

Discovery Series – Atlanta

We’ve identified five design elements from the ornament earlier, and it is time to review the rest from the Discovery Series Atlanta mug.

– We can see the Atlanta skyline on the front, which is a striking amalgamation of modern architecture, featuring iconic structures like the Bank of America Plaza and the soaring SunTrust Plaza against the Southern sky. These gleaming towers, along with the distinctive cylindrical shape of the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel and the contemporary Mercedes-Benz Stadium, create a dynamic urban silhouette that perfectly represents the city’s role as the capital of the New South.… Read more

Discovery Series – Lake Tahoe

Discovery Series – Lake Tahoe follows the ornament that we’ve reviewed recently. Thanks to the bigger size, designers were able to fit a little bit more details when compared to the ornament, namely water activities during the summer.

During the warm months, kayakers and paddleboarders glide across the lake’s smooth surface, enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. Adventurous visitors can try their hand at water skiing or wakeboarding, while fishing enthusiasts cast their lines for Mackinaw trout and Kokanee salmon.… Read more

Been There – Japan Summer

The design of the Been There Japan Summer mug is dedicated to the summer season, obviously. Let me remind you that Japanese mugs are unique in the sense that apart from the regular mug, Starbucks releases four more mugs for each season. We’ve reviewed Japan Spring recently and noticed that while the layout stays the same, certain elements of the design were adapted to reflect the different seasons of the year. There is one more interesting detail about this particular release: while all other seasons, Spring, Autumn, and Winter, were all released in 2022, the Summer Edition was released in 2023, thus leaving collectors hanging for a while.… Read more

Discovery Series – Québec

The Discovery Series Québec mug is following the release of the ornament that we saw earlier. Some of the design elements are common; I invite you to read my previous post here. One small but interesting feature is the addition of the plate to the front of the snowmobile that says “QUÉBEC”. I love this little detail on the mug.

Here are some extra design elements added to the mug, when compared to the ornament:

Crepes are popular in Québec and particularly in Québec City, where they are celebrated as part of the region’s French culinary heritage.… Read more

You Are Here Ornament – Karlovy Vary

Three years after the release of the full-sized mug, You Are Here Ornament – Karlovy Vary is making its appearance in stores.

Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad, is a spa town nestled in western Bohemia, Czech Republic. Founded in 1370 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, the city’s name translates to “Charles’ Boiling Water,” referencing its famous hot springs. Legend has it that Charles IV discovered the springs while on a hunting expedition, leading to the town’s establishment.

Throughout its history, Karlovy Vary has been a favored destination for European nobility, artists, and intellectuals.… Read more

Been There – Norwegian Bliss

Similar to mugs for Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Starbucks released ten more mugs for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and Been There – Norwegian Bliss is just one of them. Stay tuned for a quick overview of the other nine mugs!

The Norwegian Bliss, one of NCL’s newest ships, offers a wealth of entertainment and activities for passengers of all ages. Launched in 2018, this 1,094-foot vessel can accommodate over 4,000 guests.

One of the ship’s standout features is its two-level electric car race track, the largest at sea.… Read more

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