Moji Instagram

I spent the weekend in Moji, a charming town on the tip of Kyushu. Across the sea, I could clearly see the brightly lit Ferris wheel of Shiminoseki’s wharf. Moji is easily passed by on the way from Honshu into Kyushu, most people heading to nearly Fukuoka. But I found that Moji was full of delights. Once a bustling port in the 1950’s, relics of its international past could be been throughout the city, often in juxtaposition to its modern Japanese architecture.

What happens when you say “to go” at Starbucks Japan

So I was in Shimonoseki the other day, and after indulging in a delicious Coffee Jelly Frappuccino, I wanted a slice of cake for later.

So I go to the counter and order one slice of lemon coffee cake, and say the magic words “To go.” (mochikaeri in Japanese).

Now, considering that this cake was for myself, and I was planning on eating it in a few hours, I would have been happy if the barista handed the slice to me wrapped in a napkin, but because this is Japan, everything has to be presented in the form of an elaborate service.

Ten minutes later I am presented with this Starbucks shopping bag. When I open it, I find that my slice of cake has been wrapped so elaborately that I would not hesitate to present it to someone on stage at an award show.  

To some people this is a beautiful display of the art of packaging that the Japanese have so meticulously perfected. To others, this is an egregious waste of paper products.

You be the judge.

Featuring:

Starbucks bag

Paper cake pouch

Napkin wrapped in plastic

Plastic fork

Paper pouch for napkin and fork