Discovery Series – Hokkaido

The Starbucks Discovery Series Hokkaido mug explores Japan’s northernmost main island, a region known for long snowy winters, mountains, wildlife, agriculture, and distinctive local traditions. Hokkaido was historically inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people and was known as Ezo before receiving its present name in 1869, during a period of rapid Japanese settlement and development. Today, its relatively cool climate and wide-open landscapes distinguish it from much of the rest of Japan, while winter sports, seafood, and spectacular natural scenery attract visitors throughout the year.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Taiwan

I am lucky to have a friend who travels a lot and sends me these. It would be much harder to get them otherwise. Starbucks released six ornaments for the “Formosa,” and I have them all!

The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Taiwan features a compact selection of symbols highlighting the island’s landscapes, wildlife, agriculture, and outdoor activities. Taiwan’s history has been shaped by its Indigenous peoples as well as periods of Dutch, Spanish, Qing, Japanese, and Republic of China rule. The island is also remarkably mountainous, with its rugged interior rising sharply from the densely populated coastal plains.… Read more

Discovery Series – Philippines

The Starbucks Discovery Series Philippines mug explores the history, traditions, food, and landscapes of this Southeast Asian archipelago. Spanish colonial rule began in the 16th century, with Manila becoming the colonial capital in 1571. Following the Philippine Revolution, independence from Spain was proclaimed on June 12, 1898, although the islands subsequently came under American rule. The Philippines finally gained full sovereignty in 1946, and today its culture reflects centuries of indigenous traditions combined with Spanish, Asian, and American influences.

– The jeepney immediately stands out on the front of the mug.… Read more

Discovery Series – Bolivia

The Discovery Series Bolivia mug introduces another South American country release with a design that moves from the Andes to the Amazon and combines traditional culture with some of Bolivia’s most famous landscapes and foods. The history of Bolivia stretches back to ancient Andean civilizations, including Tiwanaku, before the region became part of the Inca Empire and later Spanish colonial territory. Bolivia gained independence in 1825 and was named after SimĂłn BolĂ­var. Today, the country is defined by the coexistence of indigenous traditions, colonial history, and an extraordinary variety of landscapes, ranging from the Andes and high-altitude salt flats to tropical lowlands.… Read more

Discovery Series – Hiroshima

The Discovery Series Hiroshima mug tells the story of a city with a long history and a powerful modern identity. Hiroshima was founded as a castle town in 1589, when Mori Terumoto began construction of Hiroshima Castle. The city later developed into an important regional center, but its history changed forever on August 6, 1945, when an atomic bomb destroyed much of Hiroshima. Reconstruction began almost immediately, and the city was formally reshaped as a peace memorial city under a special law enacted in 1949.… Read more

Discovery Series – Tokyo

The Discovery Series Tokyo is a mug for one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Originally known as Edo, Tokyo developed from a small fishing village into the political center of Japan after Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate there in 1603. The city was renamed Tokyo, meaning “Eastern Capital,” when Emperor Meiji moved the imperial court there from Kyoto in 1868. Today, Tokyo is a vast metropolis where ancient temples, traditional customs, cutting-edge technology, and an enormous urban population exist side by side.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Puerto Rico

The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Puerto Rico brings together several images that capture the island’s tropical landscapes, historic architecture, and strong connection to the sea. Puerto Rico’s culture developed from a mixture of TaĂ­no, Spanish, African, and later Caribbean and American influences, with the island becoming a Spanish colony following Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1493. Today, Puerto Rico is known for its distinctive culture, beautiful natural scenery, and historic cities.

– Puerto Rico surfing appears among the symbols on the ornament, reflecting the island’s long coastline and excellent surfing conditions.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Santiago

The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Santiago brings together several elements that capture the character of Chile’s capital, from its dramatic mountain setting to traditional food, native wildlife and popular culture. Santiago was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia on February 12, 1541, in the Mapocho River valley. The city grew into the political and economic center of the Spanish colony of Chile and remained at the heart of the country after Chile declared independence in 1818. Today, Santiago is the country’s largest city, set against the Andes and surrounded by a landscape that is very much part of its identity.… Read more

Discovery Series – SĂŁo Paulo

The Starbucks Discovery Series SĂŁo Paulo mug is dedicated to Brazil’s largest city and one of the country’s most important economic and cultural centres. SĂŁo Paulo was founded on January 25, 1554, when Jesuit priests established a college on the Piratininga plateau. For much of its early history, it remained a relatively small settlement, but the coffee boom of the 19th century transformed the city. The wealth generated by coffee helped bring railways, immigrants and rapid urban development, turning SĂŁo Paulo into a major industrial and commercial centre.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Idaho

According to my notes, Discovery Series Ornament Idaho is the last Discovery release from the USA that I was missing in my collection. We can always expect more mugs and ornaments in the future, though.

The Discovery Series Ornament Idaho brings together some of the natural attractions, local traditions and official symbols associated with the Gem State. Idaho became the 43rd state of the United States on July 3, 1890, after first becoming a U.S. territory in 1863. Much of its identity is tied to its mountains, rivers, forests and agriculture, with potatoes and huckleberries becoming particularly recognizable symbols of the state.… Read more

1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 39