At this point, I could make a whole series about Japan’s twist on Western favorites, this time featuring the iconic Cinnabon!
Lower Prices
It might be hard to notice the price difference with exchange rates and all, but from what I’ve calculated, Cinnabon in Japan is slightly cheaper than in the US.
A standard-size classic Cinnabon costs 3.76 USD which equates to 540 yen. However, Japan sells the classic Cinnabon for just 500 yen, saving you 40 yen or about 0.30 USD.
It might not seem like much, but if you’re a Cinnabon regular then these numbers can add up fast! It’s also nice knowing you’re not paying more than the US price despite the exclusivity of the brand in Japan.
Exclusive Items
Speaking of exclusivity, Cinnabon Japan also offers a range of exclusive “Japan-only” items from the Cinnabon selections to the matcha green tea beverages courtesy of Seattle’s Best Coffee menu.
Of course, there has to be a matcha green tea twist doesn’t there? Here, I tried the “Mini Uji Matcha Nama Chocobon” (long name I know), roughly translating to “Mini Raw Uji Matcha Chocobon.”
Okay, that translation probably didn’t help. Basically, Uji Matcha is a variety of matcha green tea that is considered of the highest grade. It uses the youngest tea leaves and originates in the region of Uji.
As a standalone green tea dessert, sure, it works. As a Cinnabon flavor? No, not really. I mean, the fact that this item is in the “Chocobon” category and not the “Cinnabon” category should’ve been the first sign that there’d be no cinnamon goodness involved.
That being said, you should definitely try it when you come to Japan, because I mean, where else are you going to try it? After all, your friends and family outside of Japan all want to know about the exclusive stuff you tried!
All Your Cinnabon Favorites
Once you’ve done your due diligence to try the exclusive matcha Chocobon in Japan, you can reward yourself with a massive caramel Pecanbon (my personal favorite)!
In fact, you can get all of your Cinnabon favorites in addition to the exclusive items here at Cinnabon Japan.
While I don’t particularly vouch for the matcha Chocobon, I think a Cinnabon Classic or a Pecanbon would go well with one of the matcha or hojicha beverages available from Seattle’s Best Coffee menu.
Exceptional Customer Service
One thing I will point out beyond the food and drink differences is the exceptional customer service you get at Cinnabon Japan.
This particular branch I went to at Kokura station in Kitakyushu prefecture had really friendly staff who insisted on bringing out my tray for me.
They also included a complementary cup of iced water with my Cinnabon Classic, a gesture I haven’t experienced in other Cinnabon outlets overseas.
Overall, my experience at Cinnabon Japan was absolutely exceptional. I brought along my laptop to do some work and connected my charger to the power outlets provided (I used their free Wi-Fi too).
At the end of my session, the staff again insisted on taking my tray for me and disposing of the waste. Perhaps I got special treatment for being a foreigner, but either way, it was one to remember!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
