Starbucks provides free goza mats for outdoor park seating in Okinawa, Japan

Starbucks opened a store called Starbucks Coffee Naha Kagamihara inside Manko Park in the city of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture. The outlet supplies a supply of traditional Japanese goza mats, made from beeg grass, that customers can borrow at no cost and spread on the park’s grassy area to enjoy their drinks outdoors.

The initiative quickly drew attention on Japanese social media, with users sharing photos of coffee cups on the mats amid the park scenery. Starbucks says the programme showcases local Okinawan craftsmanship and encourages a blend of café culture with the natural environment, while requiring only modest expense for the mats. The move is being noted as an example of experiential marketing in the coffee sector, where cafés use location‑specific features to differentiate themselves and attract patrons beyond the confines of indoor seating.