
Starbucks amps up both the Japanese and American elements, and makes us fall in love with green tea Frappuccinos all over again.
In Japan, it’s customary to take some time in August to take some time to go back home and reconnect with your extended family as part of the Obon holiday season. Obon isn’t until next week, though, so instead we held a different kind of reunion this week, as we headed to Starbucks for a matcha green tea Frappuccino.
See, while the matcha Frappuccino sits on the throne of Starbucks Japan’s blended ice beverage monarchy, a permanent menu item it’s often overshadowed by flashy limited-time flavors. But as of this week, the flashy new flavor itself is a green tea variant, in the form of the Matcha S’more Frappuccino.
Now you might expect the Matcha S’more Frappuccino to simply be a regular green tea Frappuccino with some extra toppings, but that’s not the case. When the barista handed us our drink, we noticed it was a much deeper shade of green than we’re used to.
That’s because the Matcha S’more Frappuccino uses 50 percent more green tea powder than the standard green tea Frappuccino, and to let it really make its presence felt, the new drink is made with non-fat milk, shifting the dairy to a less-obtrusive supporting role in stimulating your taste buds.
Moving on to the s’mores part of the equation, bits of delightfully squishy marshmallow and soft, gooey graham cracker are mixed into the icy matcha base. On top, there’s the customary Frappuccino swirl of whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with chocolate chunks, bringing back memories of melty chocolate dripping out of s’mores being roasted over a campfire.
With their palate-pleasing powers combined, the Matcha S’more Frappuccino satisfies both bitter and sweet cravings, and thanks to the low-fat milk, never feels greasy or cloying. It’s also worth pointing out that as popular that while s’mores are essential camping supplies in the U.S., they’re far less common in Japan, making the Matcha S’more Frappuccino a second-tier example of Starbucks’ dessert beverages combining American and Japanese flavors to create hybrid hyper-delicious treats.
The Matcha S’more Frappuccino is priced at 590 yen (US$5.30) for a tall, and will be available until August 30.
Photos ©SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter, where his urge to consume matcha desserts is always rising.







How to order a Matcha Caramel S’more Frappuccino at Starbucks Japan
Starbucks Japan’s new S’mores Frappuccino has something extra, but do we want to drink some more?
Starbucks’ brand-new Meccha Matcha Frappuccino: 20 years in the making, 50 percent more green tea
Starbucks Japan releases matcha scones and doughnuts with their new matcha Frappuccino
All the amazing Japanese Starbucks Frappuccinos SoraNews24 tried in 2018【Taste tests】
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Japan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
The adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
Beautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Nearly half of Pokémon hot spring’s statues have been damaged less than two months after opening
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Starbucks releases a new Matcha Frappuccino in Japan with a pun behind its creation
Starbucks’ new matcha cheese Frappuccino is here, but can this crazy combo work?【Taste test】
Starbucks celebrates Christmas in Japan with a festive matcha Frappuccino
Chocolate Brownie Matcha Frappuccinos make their glorious return to Starbucks Japan
Merry matcha! Starbucks Japan adds two subtly changed, deliciously different green tea beverages
Starbucks promises “new world of matcha” with green tea cheese Frappuccino, citrus green tea
Starbucks Caramel S’mores Frappuccino coming to Japan for a limited time!
Starbucks Japan releases Matcha White Chocolate Frappuccino
Starbucks releases special matcha Frappuccino made with Japan’s first matcha leaves of the year
Ultra-premium matcha, koji rice mold star in Starbucks Japanese New Year’s Frappuccino and drinks
Starbucks Japan brings out a new green tea Frappuccino topped with a whole chocolate mini cake
Starbucks Japan tells us what we’re getting for Christmas: matcha green tea brownie Frappuccinos!
Starbucks Japan’s new melon Frappuccino is part of a Japanese pun-themed dessert menu
Japanese city gets its very own Starbucks Frappuccino for a limited time
Starbucks Japan adds new Sencha Matcha Tea Frappuccino to its menu, but only at 28 locations
Move over, matcha. Starbucks makes its first-ever hojicha roasted green tea Frappuccino