Between Steam and Hooves: Starbucks Japan’s Year of the Horse Finds Its Place on the Table

At the end of December, collector forums and social feeds stirred as Starbucks Japan introduced its Year of the Horse merchandise. Images of mugs, plushies, and reusable cups appeared on Instagram, 小红书, and Reddit, with fans sharing snapshots from store shelves or teasing their finds in advance. The return of a familiar ritual, this time in horse form, added a gentle note to the approaching Lunar New Year.

The collection blends playful aesthetics with cultural symbolism: mugs sport sculptural horse ears, tumblers are topped with plush figures, and reusable cups carry hints of red and gold, colors that evoke luck and celebration. A zodiac-inspired chilled drink links flavor and ritual, while subtle references to past zodiac releases create a sense of continuity in a yearly tradition.

Collectors compare launch dates, fans share first encounters with mugs and plushies beside morning coffee or festive décor, and TikTok clips capture the tactile joy of unboxing, showing how these items weave into small everyday moments.

The charm lies in the ritual rather than the release. A new mug becomes part of morning routines, a plushie keeps company by a laptop, and the chilled zodiac drink marks a brief pause on the commute. These objects invite participation in seasonal moments, proving that small items and subtle gestures can carry more personal meaning than grand announcements ever could.

Starbucks’ Year of the Horse collection shows how culture, routine, and design can intersect in everyday life. Through limited objects, curiosity, nostalgia, and community appear across feeds and kitchen counters, wherever fans make space for them. The horse finds its place, not as a headline, but as a companion to the coffee we drink and the rituals we carry through the day.

Source: Starbucks Japan

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