A number of new shops and attractions have opened up in Tokyo now that the city has moved towards reopening. Aside from the hotspots in Harajuku including a new Uniqlo and Japan's first city-centre Ikea, Shinjuku has welcomed a brand new Gap outlet inside the Flags department store, complete with the world’s very first Gap café.
The new Gap opened its doors on June 1 and, trust us, it’s not your average Gap store. At the onsite café you'll find Gap’s very own original blend coffee as well as hot or iced latte topped with Gap-themed latte art. The designs are printed onto the drinks via a high-tech milk foam printer, and there are eight designs to choose from, including the facade of the very first Gap store in San Francisco and the brand's signature mascot Brannan Bear.
The coffee should pair well with Krispy Kreme’s limited Brannan Bear custard doughnuts, which are available exclusively at the Gap café. Making a conscious effort to reduce plastic waste, the café uses paper cups and sleeves as well as biodegradable straws made from naturally derived ingredients.
Aside from the café, the shop also offers a customisation corner, where you can personalise anything you buy in-store with patches, prints and embroidery. The process takes between 15 and 30 minutes, giving you some time to hang out at the new café while you wait.
For rules on how to go out safely in Tokyo, or anywhere for that matter, read our guide.
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