Halloween arrives in Japan with a playful black cat
Starbucks Japan has lifted the lid on its Halloween 2025 collection, and the star is a mischievous black cat that prowls across limited edition drinkware and seasonal treats. The lineup spans 15 goods, including stainless steel bottles, tumblers, mugs, heat resistant glass, reusable cups, cutlery and a Bearista plush dressed like a cat. Visual tricks are part of the fun. Several pieces glow in the dark so hidden ghosts and logos pop at night, and a color changing reusable cup flips from black to purple when you pour in something warm.
- Halloween arrives in Japan with a playful black cat
- What is in the 2025 lineup
- New Halloween drinks Black Cat Frappuccino and iced tea
- Release schedule and how to buy
- Why these collectibles sell out in Japan
- How the special effects work
- Where this fits in Starbucks seasonal strategy
- Buying tips for fans and collectors
- What to Know
The release arrives in two waves. Most items land online in a timed presale at 20:00 Japan Standard Time on 7 October, followed by nationwide store sales on 10 October. Quantities are limited across the board, which means the fastest movers, such as the largest cold cups and character goods, are likely to sell quickly. Starbucks will also introduce two acai based Halloween beverages that echo the collection’s purple and black palette.
What is in the 2025 lineup
The design language blends cat silhouettes, paw prints and peekaboo details with seasonal purple and black. Materials range from stainless steel to heat resistant glass and durable plastics. Some items hide elements that appear only in low light, while others shift color with temperature, turning simple refills into small reveals.
Standout drinkware
Flagship pieces include a high capacity Logo Cold Cup Tumbler that glows in the dark (710 ml), a Cup Shape Stainless Steel Bottle with a cat design (355 ml), and a Heat Resistant Glass Mug adorned with a cat (296 ml). Daily carry options extend the theme with a Stainless TOGO Bottle Cat (473 ml) and a Glitter Purple Stainless Bottle (444 ml). For an accessible entry point, the Color Changing Reusable Cup flips from black to purple when filled with a warm drink.
- Logo Cold Cup Tumbler Glow in the Dark 710 ml: 3,550 yen
- Cup Shape Stainless Steel Bottle Cat 355 ml: 5,600 yen
- Cold Cup Tumbler Cat 473 ml: 2,800 yen
- Stainless Bottle Glitter Purple 444 ml: 4,900 yen
- Stainless TOGO Bottle Cat 473 ml: 5,500 yen
- Heat Resistant Glass Mug Cat 296 ml: 2,800 yen
- Mug Ghost Glow in the Dark 355 ml: 2,600 yen
- Color Changing Reusable Cup: 650 yen
- Color Changing Reusable Cup with Bearista Ghost drink hole cap: 1,300 yen
- Curved Stainless Steel Bottle Cat: 4,700 yen
Accessories and plush
Beyond drinkware, the cast includes a Cutlery Set with a cat and ghost case, a Halloween themed beverage card for gifting and the Bearista Mini in a black cat suit. Gift friendly items in Starbucks Japan frequently include a drink ticket that allows one beverage redemption, and Starbucks indicates that some of this year’s Halloween goods come with a free drink ticket. Store partners can confirm which items include tickets at launch.
New Halloween drinks Black Cat Frappuccino and iced tea
The headline beverage is the Acai Berry Frappuccino, informally called the Black Cat Frappuccino. It blends acai, raspberry, cassis and blackberry for a fruity base with rich berry aroma and a vivid purple hue. For texture, the recipe adds black crunch. The finish is pure Halloween theater, with two cat ear chocolates and a drizzle of black chocolate sauce shaped to suggest a feline silhouette peeking over the rim.
A second option, Acai Berry Yuzu Citrus & Tea, pairs the berry base with black tea and a bright note of citrus. Yuzu pulp adds gentle tartness and fragrance, creating a refreshing iced tea that suits customers who prefer a lighter sip.
Prices start at 730 yen for the Acai Berry Frappuccino when enjoyed in store, or 717 yen for takeout. Acai Berry Yuzu Citrus & Tea is 590 yen in store, or 579 yen for takeout. Both beverages are scheduled to begin sales across Japan on 10 October, for a limited time while supplies last.
Release schedule and how to buy
Most goods are slated for an online start at 20:00 on 7 October via Starbucks Japan’s official store, with physical stores beginning sales on 10 October. Expect popular items to disappear fast online, sometimes within minutes, especially the large capacity glow in the dark cup and the plush. If your first pick sells out online, visiting a nearby store at opening on release day can provide a second chance.
Customers should watch for any per customer limits set by individual stores, a common practice for seasonal goods in Japan. Purchasing early improves the odds of finding the exact design, size and finish you want. Keep an eye on the product pages for details on capacity, material and care, since those details can differ across pieces in the range.
Why these collectibles sell out in Japan
Seasonal goods are central to the Starbucks Japan experience, from New Year items to the spring sakura line and summer marine themes. The brand’s Halloween drop is a marquee moment. The window is short, the designs are tightly themed and the goods carry practical utility, which creates interest from daily users and collectors.
This year’s Halloween set maintains that formula. The black cat theme is playful without feeling childish, the color story is cohesive across bottles, mugs and cold cups, and the price ladder runs from 650 yen to roughly 5,600 yen. That puts an entry point within reach for casual buyers, while giving collectors a challenge to complete a full set.
Community buzz accelerates sellouts. Fans swap inventory tips, post store sightings and share photos of the Bearista plush in costume. Drink tickets included with some giftable goods add tangible value, which encourages early gifting during October. When that momentum meets finite stock, items with special effects or character details tend to vanish first.
How the special effects work
The color changing reusable cup uses thermochromic pigment embedded in the outer layer. When the surface warms, the pigment’s structure shifts and reveals purple. As the cup cools, it returns to black. The intensity of the change can vary with ambient temperature and the drink’s heat level, which is part of the charm.
Glow in the dark details rely on photoluminescent materials that absorb light energy and release it in dim settings. Charging a glow accented cup near a window or a lamp before use boosts the effect. Special finishes can be sensitive to abrasion. Care guidance for similar Starbucks goods often recommends gentle hand wash, avoiding harsh scrubbers, steering clear of dishwashers or microwaves and not soaking pieces with metallic paint or vacuum insulation.
Where this fits in Starbucks seasonal strategy
Starbucks continues to expand seasonal design play across markets. In the United States, the fall assortment also features cups that glow in the dark and textured surfaces that stand out in daylight. The approach is consistent with the company’s focus on tactile finishes and bold color stories that photograph well.
On its official Japanese site, Starbucks describes the spirit of the season with a lighthearted invitation to join the fun together with a cat motif.
Spend a joyful Halloween with a mischievous black cat.
Japan’s collection mirrors global interest in special effects, while giving the designs a kawaii twist. The black cat character anchors the goods and ties cleanly to the berry toned drinks, which creates a simple way to build an at home Halloween mood with a single purchase.
Buying tips for fans and collectors
High demand and limited stock call for a plan. These practical steps can help you secure favorites without stress.
- Create or update an online account and add payment details before 7 October.
- Set a reminder for 19:55 Japan Standard Time on 7 October to be ready for the 20:00 online start.
- Prioritize the rare items first, such as the 710 ml glow in the dark cup and the Bearista plush.
- Check store opening times and arrive early on 10 October if you plan to shop in person.
- Ask your store about any per customer limits for seasonal goods.
- Inspect placement and finish in person. Minor paint or print differences can occur with complex designs.
- Keep any drink tickets safe and check the redemption window printed on the card.
What to Know
- Theme is a playful black cat across 15 goods and two acai based seasonal drinks.
- Online presale starts on 7 October 2025 at 20:00 JST. Store sales begin on 10 October across Japan.
- Black Cat Frappuccino blends acai, raspberry, cassis and blackberry with black crunch, cat ear chocolates and a black chocolate drizzle.
- Frappuccino price is 730 yen in store and 717 yen for takeout. Acai Berry Yuzu Citrus & Tea is 590 yen in store and 579 yen for takeout.
- Standout items include a 710 ml logo cold cup that glows in the dark, a color changing reusable cup, a ghost mug that glows in the dark and stainless bottles with cat motifs.
- Prices range roughly from 650 yen to 5,600 yen. Quantities are limited and popular items sell quickly.
- Some gift ready goods include a drink ticket redeemable for one beverage.
- Available through Starbucks Japan’s official online store and at Starbucks locations nationwide while supplies last.
