Starbucks Japan is teaming up with Pokémon for a collaboration launching September 30, 2026, led by a Pikachu Honey Cream Latte and 41 merchandise items. There’s plenty here for fans of Pikachu, Eevee, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, from drinkware to accessories.
The latte has a short run, while collectors will need to pay attention to where the goods are sold: most of the collection is heading to Starbucks Japan’s online store.
What’s in the Pikachu Honey Cream Latte?
The Pikachu Honey Cream Latte combines espresso with honey and caramel, topped with honey-flavoured whipped cream. Golden honey nods to Pikachu’s yellow colouring, while red heart-shaped toppings represent its cheeks.
It’s an iced coffee drink, available only in Tall size. Each purchase also comes with an original collaboration sticker, while sticker supplies last. (Source: TokyoHive)
| Detail | Pikachu Honey Cream Latte |
|---|---|
| Release date | September 30, 2026 |
| Scheduled end date | October 8, 2026 |
| Size and format | Tall, iced only |
| Takeaway price | ¥678, including tax |
| Dine-in price | ¥690, including tax |
| Availability | Starbucks stores across Japan, excluding some locations |
Stock may run out before the scheduled end date, so October 8 isn’t a guarantee that every store will still have it. (Source: Nintendo Dream Web)
A Pokémon Barista Battle decided the winning drink
The latte earned its place on the menu through the Pokémon + Starbucks Barista Battle, an internal recipe competition held in December 2025. More than 700 entries were narrowed down to six finalists, who spent six months refining their drinks with support from their colleagues.
Each finalist had ten minutes to explain their recipe, share the Pokémon memories behind it and prepare it for the judges. The four-person panel included The Pokémon Company president Tsunekazu Ishihara and Starbucks Japan CEO Hisae Morii, assessing the drinks’ stories, appearance and flavour.
The winning recipe came from Junko Nitta of the Koriyama Asaka store. Her inspiration was personal: as a child, her father won her a Pikachu from a claw machine. She chose honey to capture its cheerful yellow appearance and developed a drink intended to appeal to coffee newcomers as well as regular drinkers.
That winning Pikachu recipe is the one receiving the nationwide release. The other finalists’ creations were competition entries, rather than an announced menu of additional Pokémon drinks. (Source: Starbucks’ Barista Battle feature)
Pokémon help brew the coffee in the new artwork
The merchandise spans stainless steel drinkware, stacking mugs, heat-resistant cups, aprons, tote bags, keychains and postcards. Illustrator Hikaru Ichijo created the artwork for the collaboration. (Source: Time Out Tokyo)
Across 12 illustrations, Pokémon work alongside baristas on a shared coffee adventure. Pikachu supplies electricity to an espresso machine, Bulbasaur helps grow coffee plants, and Eevee explores customisation. It’s an especially fitting job for a Pokémon with so many possibilities.
The artwork also includes little connections between each Pokémon and its human partner, such as a barista’s spiky hairstyle echoing Pikachu’s tail. Poké Balls and Berries appear among the details, giving fans something to spot beyond the main characters.
Ichijo’s signature approach leaves faces undrawn, allowing viewers to imagine themselves in the scenes. It gives the collection a distinctive look, with the relationship between Pokémon and baristas carrying the story. (Source: Starbucks’ illustrator interview)
Where to buy the Starbucks Pokémon collection
In stores: The 473ml Coffee Connection reusable cup costs ¥1,300. Three physical Starbucks Card designs will also be available, each requiring a minimum ¥2,000 top-up.
Online: The wider merchandise range launches through Starbucks Japan’s official online store, with sales scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. Japan time on September 30. The start time may change.
Purchase limits differ:
- Stores, September 30–October 2: One of each collaboration item per person, excluding the drink.
- Online, launch day: One of each item per transaction.
Goods are available while stocks last. The announcement covers Japan; it does not announce an international release. (Source: Starbucks Japan)
