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Spring is a time for new beginnings as well as a great time to open new shops and businesses, and people are eager to escape from their apartments where they spent most of the winter season. Luckily, there are plenty of grand openings everywhere you turn this time of year, which is why our intrepid writers were met with a 100-plus-person line at the new Hooters location near the West Entrance of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station on May 18.

They couldn’t make it into the restaurant on opening day, so they decided to go back the next day, with a twist! What better way to enjoy the newest Hooters restaurant in Japan than by cosplaying the Hooters costume?

Not to be outdone by the Hooters girls themselves, our Japanese-language correspondents Mr. Sato and P.K. Sanjun decided to dress in the most natural and appropriate way for their visit to the restaurant, in the full Hooters girl uniform. The recognizable tank top was easy to find by going to the Hooters’ store. However, they were unable to find the appropriate short shorts. How can you replicate the enthusiasm and excitement of the Hooters staff without the short shorts?

Locating bright women’s short shorts that fit Mr. Sato and P.K. would have been very difficult, so they decided to make their own from some yellow pants. For authenticity’s sake they should have found some orange ones, but sometimes you just have to play with the cards you are dealt. With a few alterations, they had some fabulous new shorts to fill.

▼ “Who wears short shorts?”

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▼ “We wear short shorts!”

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Our fearless staff were slightly concerned about how the people at Hooters would react to their outfits and attitude, but when they entered the restaurant and yelled out “Woo!” they were greeted quite warmly with, “You two really like Hooters!”

Perhaps they made a mistake of going at lunch time, as the world-famous wings aren’t served then. Disappointed, but not allowing it dampen their spirits, they ordered a steak and a burger. Those who are looking for large “American-sized” portions will not be disappointed by the big sizes at Hooters.

▼ The steak plate was 1,500 yen (US $12.44).

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▼ The 1,150-yen ($9.53) Hooters burger

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The price is a little high for lunch, but when you think about everything you are getting besides food…like the energy from the staff…the price seems about right. Plus they really are as huge as our reporters had imagined (the portions we mean).

▼ No meal is complete without some alcohol.

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Another thing Mr. Sato and P.K. missed out on, though, was the sporadic dancing that sometimes envelops the entire restaurant. At times, the music will suddenly turn up and the staff start dancing. Maybe the two of them should have let their cosplay do the talking and started busting a move themselves?

▼ By the end of the day, Mr. Sato and P.K. had both perfected their leggy poses

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Fans of the American chain can fulfill their Hooters experience at locations across Japan, just be careful to check menus and service times online if you are keen to have lunch there. You can raise your enjoyment by 120 times if you decide to wear the uniform, so why don’t you try it out next time like Mr. Sato and P.K.?

Restaurant information
Hooters West Shinjuku branch / Hooters 新宿西口店
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Nishi Shinjuku 1-8-5, Alpha 107 Building basement level 1-2
東京都新宿区西新宿1-8-5 アルファ107ビル B1F-B2F
Open Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-5 a.m.
Website

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Images: ©RocketNews24