With a Frappuccino for every occasion, each year we are treated to a slew of seasonal and limited time only masterpieces. The creative engine that is Starbucks Japan never seems to run out of steam.

Here's a list of their sweetest creations that, if there was any justice in the world, would have been made available for everyone to experience, not just us lucky, lucky Japan residents.

Starbucks' Best Japan-only Frappuccinos

1. Matchas Made in Heaven

Matcha S'mores Frappuccino, Source: Starbucks Japan

Matcha is a staple of Japanese desserts, and is gaining prominence worldwide due to its distinctive taste and health benefits. Fans of green tea have to make a pilgrimage at least once to Japan, and no one would call you a philistine for wanting to try one of Starbucks Japan’s amazing matcha creations. Whether it’s combining a matcha frapp with s'mores, adding unholy amounts of green tea powder, or just putting a literal chocolate cake on top of the beverage, they continue to push the boundaries of good sense, and we love it.

Chocolate Cake Top Frappuccino with Matcha Shot, Source: Starbucks Japan

2. Valentines Day Chocolate Decadence

Valentine Chocoholic Frappucino, Source: Starbucks Japan

A day dedicated to chocolate giving, it’s a no-brainer for Starbucks to get involved with the chocolatiest, most decadent creations they can fathom. The 2018 Valentine’s Day treat was called the ‘Valentine Chocoholic Frappuccino’ and consisted of white mocha with chocolate and coffee sauce, with chocolate chips, more chocolate sauce and chocolate powder.

3. Sakura Seasonal Offerings

Sakuraful Frappuccino, Source: Starbucks Japan

The envy of Starbucks fans the world over, Japan’s sakura frappuccinos have become an institution. Cherry blossom season is probably the country’s favourite event and products inspired by the pink petals get snapped up in an instant. There are certain variables every year, sometimes the Frappuccino takes on a cherry flavour, sometimes a strawberry one, but pink and creamy is a given, and so is Instagrammability.

4. Halloween Concoctions

Halloween Witch And Halloween Princess Frappucinos, Source: Starbucks Japan

An American holiday with an important link to sweet things? Count Starbucks Japan in. Various spooky concoctions have appeared over the years. Perhaps the best beverages conceptually, were the alter-ego themed ‘Trick or Treat’ duo. It offered a choice between a cute or a scary costume, Halloween Witch and Halloween Princess, both were imaginative variations on apple flavour (truly the creepiest of all fruits).

5. Christmas Festive Frapps

Pistachio Christmas Tree Frappucino, Source: Starbucks Japan

Frankly, it would be weird if Starbucks Japan didn’t get down with the festive cheer every December. They manage to outdo themselves every time. Often the colour scheme is the classic Christmas combo of red and green as seen in their 2018 Christmas Tree Frappuccino (don’t worry, the name only refers to the appearance and not the taste, it was pistachio flavoured).

White Chocolate Snow Frappuccino, Source: Starbucks Japan

Last year, much like the baby Jesus, we received three festive gifts from Starbucks, adding the ‘White Chocolate Snow Frappuccino’ and ‘Christmas Strawberry Cake Frappuccino’ to the line-up. In the past they’ve also sprinkled these seasonal treats with edible glitter for some Christmas magic.

6. Drinkable Desserts

Classic Tiramisu Frappuccino, Source: Starbucks Japan

Starbucks Japan have dabbled in many dessert themed frapps, such as tiramisu or s'mores (but we don't talk about the S'mores Frappuccino...), but the American Cherry Pie Frappuccino is objectively the best thing that has ever existed. Like a wise man once said, it tasted so good, it’d make a grown man cry, sweet cherry pie.

American Cherry Pie Frappuccino, Source: Starbucks Japan

The American Cherry Pie Frappuccino was undeniably as close as one can get to actually drinking a pie. A creamy, cherry filled monstrosity that was even topped with a real pie crust. This triumph was only available for a short time in 2017. Please come back… we’ll do anything.


By - Jess.