Forest and Coffee Edition

This seminar, along with the story of the 'Starbucks Forest Project' being implemented in Gunma Prefecture, allows you to enjoy coffee brewed with water from Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, which nurtures the first drop of the Tone River, and rediscover the charm of the region with local partners. The 'Starbucks Forest Project' in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture Starbucks signed a cooperation agreement with Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, in April 2025, titled 'Tone River Source-Based Collaboration to Nurture Rich Forests and People,' and since then, Starbucks partners (employees) have been working with local residents and high school students from Gunma Prefectural Tone Industrial High School's Green Life Department to maintain the forest. Following this activity, which has had a total of 600 participants, the 'Starbucks Forest Project' was launched in July 2026. The 'Starbucks Forest Project' focuses on two main activities: 'A Unique Challenge to Utilize Logging Waste That Has Been Difficult to Use Before,' and 'Partner Environmental Education Through Forest Maintenance Activities.' Starbucks has always valued the idea of 'A Cup of Coffee That Enriches and Energizes People's Hearts,' which is a gift from nature. Due to the impact of climate change, it is said that the land suitable for growing the Arabica variety, which accounts for about 60% of the world's coffee bean production, will be reduced to half by 2050. In this seminar, partners from Gunma Prefecture who participated in the forest maintenance activities will share their thoughts on the environment where they can continue to enjoy delicious coffee, and they will talk about their experiences in the source area of the Tone River, Gunma Prefecture's Minakami Town, where the first Starbucks store in Japan, Ginza Matsuya Dori, is located, as well as their learning about the challenges of the forest, and they will share the key points for enjoying delicious coffee. A coffee seminar that experiences and enjoys the 'core' of Starbucks. Starbucks has been conducting various styles of coffee seminars at stores nationwide since 2002, with about 7,000 seminars held annually. In the coffee seminars, partners who have received the Coffee Master certification share the knowledge and stories about coffee they have learned, and they provide a place where people can discover the deliciousness and fun of coffee, which has been well received by many customers. For those who want to learn about coffee, as well as for those who want to know more about the various ways to enjoy it, we have a variety of programs available and hold them at stores nationwide. For the past 30 years since Starbucks arrived in Japan, coffee has always been an essential part of our lives. Similarly, the connection with the local community is also essential to Starbucks. We would like to share with you, through our stores, the charm and interests of each region that we have learned from the local people, and we would like to work together with the local people to carry out initiatives that are unique to the region. This coffee seminar, 'The Forest and Coffee of Minakami,' will be offered to customers at 26 stores in Gunma Prefecture, along with the information about the region that the people of Minakami Town and other people in Gunma Prefecture have shared with us, as a coffee experience where you can enjoy coffee. 'Gunma Prefecture Regional Seminar: 'The Forest and Coffee of Minakami'' Enjoy coffee brewed with Minakami water, and learn about the charm of the forest that nurtures this rich water, as well as the initiatives rooted in the region. Through the experiences and stories felt in the forest, you will have a special 60 minutes to feel the connection with nature. You will surely have a new discovery that makes you want to visit the forest of Minakami. • Start date: October 1, 2026 - • Host stores: 26 stores in Gunma Prefecture, excluding Kainz Iseza Store and Yokogawa Service Area (Umi Line) Store