A calm atmosphere, free Wi-Fi, and decent coffee – what’s not to love about Starbucks (unless you’re a staunch New Englander who swears by Dunkin’)? If you walk into any branch, you will see a line of people waiting to grab their favorite caffeinated pick-me-up. You’re also likely see a bunch of people hunched over their laptops typing away furiously, either by themselves or huddled together in groups. The laptop of choice to go with their steaming mug of coffee? From what we’ve seen, it seems to be a MacBook Air.
Have you ever watched people when they’re silently working on a computer, wondered what they’re up to, and then all of a sudden a smug little grin inexplicably breaks across their face? This self-satisfied look is known as a doya-gao in Japanese. One of our Japanese reporters, who is a frequent patron of Starbucks, recently began to notice a correlation between the frequency of people using MacBook Airs in Starbucks and those wearing a doya-gao expression. Intrigued, she started taking notes, and discovered that there are three branches of Starbucks in Tokyo where the doya-gao phenomenon is particularly common…
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Unique Starbucks in historic building is one of the most beautiful in Japan
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Japanese Twitter user posts beautiful photos of what may be Japan’s most picturesque shrine
An un-bear-ably great haul (maul?): Get your Gloomy Bear goods at 100-yen shop Can Do
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
KFC Japan introduces a new burger 8 years in the making
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
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Japanese Twitter user posts beautiful photos of what may be Japan’s most picturesque shrine
An un-bear-ably great haul (maul?): Get your Gloomy Bear goods at 100-yen shop Can Do
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
KFC Japan introduces a new burger 8 years in the making
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Heavyweight Japanese convenience store ramen festival! Three bowls of guilty pork pleasure
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Thousands of convenience stores in Japan to end sale of print magazines this spring
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things