Tag: Japan

Been There – Hiroshima

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Starbucks Been There – Hiroshima is a mug for a city in Japan’s Chūgoku region, which has a rich history that extends far beyond the tragic events of World War II. Founded in the late 16th century by the powerful warlord Mōri Terumoto, Hiroshima developed as a key economic and cultural hub in western Japan. The city thrived through the Edo period and into the modern era, becoming a center for industry and education. However, Hiroshima is most widely recognized internationally for the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, which resulted in massive destruction and loss of life.… Read more

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Been There – Nagano

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Starbucks Been There – Nagano is a mug for a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of Japan. Originally settled in prehistoric times, Nagano played a significant role during the Sengoku period (1467-1615) as a strategic location for several prominent feudal lords. The area’s historical prominence was further highlighted by the construction of the famous Zenko-ji Temple in the 7th century, which became a major pilgrimage site. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Nagano thrived as a post town on the Nakasendo route, connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) with Kyoto.… Read more

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Been There – Nagasaki

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Starbucks Been There – Nagasaki is a mug for a city on Japan’s Kyushu island that has a rich history marked by periods of foreign influence and cultural exchange. As one of Japan’s earliest ports open to foreign trade in the 16th century, Nagasaki became a hub for interactions with Portuguese and Dutch traders, significantly shaping the city’s cultural and economic landscape. The city also played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in Japan. Today, Nagasaki reflects its diverse historical influences through its architecture, traditions, and vibrant cultural heritage.… Read more

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Been There – Osaka

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Starbucks Been There – Osaka is a mug for one of Japan’s major cities, that boasts a rich history dating back over 1,500 years. Originally known as Naniwa, it served as a bustling port and the nation’s capital during the 7th and 8th centuries under the reigns of Emperor Kōtoku and Emperor Shōmu. The city played a pivotal role in Japan’s maritime trade, connecting the country with the rest of Asia. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the late 16th century, Osaka Castle was constructed under the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a key figure in Japan’s unification.… Read more

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Been There – Kobe

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Starbucks Been There – Kobe is a mug for a prominent port city located on Osaka Bay in Japan, that has a rich history dating back to its establishment in the Nara period (710-794). During the 12th century, Kobe became a significant center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location. It was officially founded in 1868, the same year Japan opened its ports to foreign trade, marking the beginning of the Meiji era. Kobe’s port rapidly grew into one of Japan’s most important, facilitating international trade and cultural exchange.… Read more

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Been There – Okinawa

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Starbucks Been There – Okinawa is a mug for a prefecture in Japan that has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The origin of the term “Okinawa” remains unclear, with one of the possible meanings being “rope in the open ocean”, referring to how the islands form a chain along the China Sea from Kagoshima to Taiwan. The history of Okinawa dates back to prehistoric times, with the earliest Okinawans known as the Minatogawa people. From the 12th century, during the Gusuku era, farming developed on the islands, and communities grew.… Read more

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Been There – Japan 2 Spring Edition

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Similarly to the previous collection, Starbucks released the Special Edition country mugs for Japan. In fact, each season gets a custom interpretation of the regular mug’s design.
Been There – Japan 2 Spring Edition is dedicated to the spring season, known as “haru”. It is a breathtaking tapestry of renewal and vibrant beauty. Cherry blossoms, or “sakura,” symbolize the essence of this season, painting the landscape in shades of pink and white as they bloom across the country. These delicate flowers not only herald the arrival of warmer weather but also evoke a sense of fleeting yet profound beauty, celebrated through hanami, the centuries-old tradition of flower viewing.… Read more

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Been There – Tokyo

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It has been a while since the release of the Japanese mugs, and Starbucks Been There – Tokyo was one of them.

Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan, is a bustling metropolis renowned for its modernity, rich history, and cultural heritage. With a population exceeding 13 million people, it stands as one of the most populous cities globally. Originally known as Edo, Tokyo became the official capital in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration, marking a pivotal moment in Japanese history as the country transitioned towards modernization and opened up to the world.… Read more

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Been There – Japan

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It has been a while since the release of the Starbucks Been There – Japan mug, and I have no excuse for not adding it to the collection. Similar to the YAH series, the Japan country mug is unique in the sense, that it has four siblings representing four seasons of the year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. I will be adding those four to the collection soon.

The design of this “regular” mug uses red and yellow colors. Here are some symbols of Japan that I am seeing on it:

Fuji, also known as Mount Fuji, is Japan’s iconic stratovolcano and the country’s tallest peak, standing at 12,389 ft.… Read more

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Japan mugs from Been There Collection are out!

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The variety of mugs that Starbucks offered in Japan was always different compared to other countries: a very limited amount of icons, five country YAHs (although depicting different seasons!) and a very unique “Japan Geography Series” that I have yet to add to the site.
But with this epic release of twenty Been There Japan mugs, Starbucks sets a new milestone for the collectibles from the Land of the Rising Sun. And even though some collectors are not big fans of the Been There series, they have to admit, that it allows a much better depiction of the place the mug is coming from, due to the simple fact that it contains many more elements on the sides of the mug.… Read more

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