Staba

So, what are the salient differences between Starbucks in the rest of the world, and Starbucks in Japan ("Staba")?

The first thing you notice is a sliding door (push-button automatic, naturally):


Yes, all the signage and everything is in Japanese, but a Latte is still a Latte (or Ratey). However, more important and relevant to your coffee enjoyment experience are the actual goods themselves:
See any differences?　


　 Ok, how about the slightly higher quality tray, clean table, no chewing gum stuck to anything, polished cutlery, gleaming plate, wet tissue in plastic sachet. And, importantly, not to be underestimated - they heat up the cinnamon swirl for you. Admittedly, the cinnamon swirl is smaller than in the UK. But better. (What did you expect?)

Also, what you can't see, is that the staff are unfailingly polite, give you a statutory bow, and are generally helpful in all areas, from guiding you from board-scanning, to sitting and sipping.

However, one important feature of Staba is that you must separate your waste products according to the manner in which they are to be recycled/burned. I'm assuming here that you didn't make the unacceptable social gaffe of not clearing up after yourself.

So, you're taking your waste products to the designated sorting area, and you are confronted with...

...a physics laboratory:



Ok, one step at a time. Its not that hard. Firstly deal with any unconsumed beverages by pouring them down the stainless steel funnel.　

Then dispose of plastic cups in the left bit, paper cups in the right one:



　 And all that's left is to neatly and efficiently separate your combustibles from your non-combustibles. Don't worry, if you don't know what you can just ask a passer-by.

　 And this, I feel, rather reminds me of the market.

Small can be beautiful.

And make sure to separate the value stuff from the rubbish.