While the Pumpkin Spice Latte is seen as the obvious autumn choice for Starbucks lovers in various countries, you may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t appear yearly in Japan. They are famously big into seasonal drinks, but this particular beverage hasn’t become a staple yet.

This may be about to change as the Pumpkin Spice Latte will make its comeback in Japan for autumn 2021, launching just in time for the changing season and Halloween. Japan first saw its release fifteen years ago, in 2006 (after first debuting in the US in 2003), and it hasn’t returned since, so lovers of everything pumpkin and spice have been waiting for this moment for a long time.

The drink itself is made with various spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, and flavoured with a sauce made from pumpkin puree, to replicate the taste of an American-style pumpkin pie. The steamed milk and espresso works in perfect harmony to create this warming, autumn treat.

It can be found in Starbucks branches all over Japan, from 1st September to 31st October, and costs between 462 yen and 590 yen, depending on size and whether you take out or sit in.

There’s also a special seasonal drink which has been formulated for Tokyo’s Reserve Roastery, the ‘Autumn Spice Oats Latte’. This is an espresso beverage inspired by the original Pumpkin Spice Latte, but elevated a bit. They use oat milk and the the high quality coffee roasted on site, and the beverage has a subtle and fragrant pumpkin spice flavour.

This offering will also appear from 1st September but it will stick around until 11th November, only at Tokyo’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery located in Nakameguro. It costs 972 yen to take out and 990 yen if you want to sit in and enjoy the ambiance.

Apart from these exciting seasonal treats, Starbucks enthusiasts in Japan are bound to be treated to some fall-appropriate Frappuccino creations soon. Will they go for some chestnut flavoured creations like last year? Or will we see something completely new?