
From playfully cute to quietly elegant, these beautiful bovines are here to keep you company on your coffee break.
With Japan changing over to the new Chinese zodiac animal on January 1, we checked out Japanese Starbucks branches’ festive Year of the Ox drinkware before 2020 ended. But with the Lunar New Year coming up in early February, let’s take a look at some of the cool stuff the coffeehouse’s branches elsewhere in Asia have on offer to mark the occasion.
As we start off in China, we should note that the linguistic distinction between “ox” and “cow” isn’t quite as stark in many Asian languages as it is in English. Because of that, Starbucks’ Lunar New Year collections freely jump back and forth between orthodox oxen and cutesy cows, depending on the designers’ sensibilities. Some of the pieces for China also feature a fish, a traditional sign of prosperity, or the Starbucks mascot bear dressed up for a lion dance.
▼ There’s even a gold-colored ox coin bank.
Hong Kong has a separate lineup, with a focus on stylish understatement, but still with a very playful touch with a cow glass with extended ears.
Starbucks Taiwan, meanwhile, is all about the mugs.
And last, a lot of Thailand’s collection overlaps with pieces available elsewhere, but it’s the only area out of the four to be offering the charcoal-color Year of the Ox tumblers and bottles.
▼ Thailand, Taiwan, and China are also all offering this adorable ox mug, which is available in Japan too.
While Starbucks China’s collection doesn’t appear to be available for online purchases, you can find the items from Starbucks Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand on their online stores here, here, and here.
Sources: Starbucks China, Starbucks Hong Kong, Starbucks Taiwan, Starbucks Thailand
Top image: Starbucks Taiwan
Insert images: Starbucks China, Starbucks Hong Kong, Starbucks Taiwan, Starbucks Thailand
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!







Chinese zodiac Evangelion characters are here to wish you a happy, chibi Year of the Ox【Pics】
We sigh and swoon over the adorable Year of the Tiger Starbucks goods sold in the rest of Asia
Drink like an ox, eat like a horse! Five Japanese idiomatic phrases to celebrate Year of the Ox
Starbucks Korea releases adorable lineup of goods for the Year of the Rooster
Starbucks’ Japanese New Year’s/Chinese zodiac drinkware line is full of fun and fortune【Pics】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Bear meat noodles?!? Tokyo restaurant adds a new kind of niku soba to its menu【Taste test】
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Pikachu’s chunky original design is back as a plus-sized plushie【Photos】
Five of Japan’s best locations to ski and snowboard
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Starbucks Korea’s Year of the Dog puppy cupcakes look adorable, get stabbed in the face【Videos】
Starbucks Hong Kong adds new bunny mugs and cups to its mid-autumn drinkware range
Starbucks Japan releases cute new zodiac goods for Year of the Rabbit
Leave a Reply