
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】
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
The Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo
You’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Mister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks releases a new Matcha Frappuccino in Japan with a pun behind its creation
Starbucks celebrates Christmas in Japan with a festive matcha Frappuccino
Starbucks’ new matcha cheese Frappuccino is here, but can this crazy combo work?【Taste test】
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 Japan releases Matcha White Chocolate Frappuccino
Starbucks Caramel S’mores Frappuccino coming to Japan for a limited time!
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