
The American franchise known for its playfully kitschy decorations and classic American fare will get a unique new venue in Tokyo’s Gotanda area.
For expats living in Japan, a taste of home can be a little hard to come by. Sure, there are plenty of eateries serving foreign foods like pasta, pizza, and recently even Chipotle-style burritos and such, but, most of the time it’s all a little bastardized to suit local tastes and never quite satisfies those maddening cravings when all you want is a big slice of your hometown’s local pizza or even – *shudder* – Cincinnati chili.
Thus, when those pangs of longing for home start coming, most of us are forced to choose one of a number of foreign chains whose menus remain basically unchanged from their original locations abroad. You’ve got Outback, with its 7-bajillion calorie Bloomin’ Onion that I’m pretty sure is definitely not a thing in Australia, McDonald’s and other fast food chains, like T.G.I. Friday’s…
That last one has proven a hit with expats and Japanese people alike, with its relatively varied menu, big portions and, to Japanese eyes anyway, unironically “fun” “American” atmosphere.
And it’s the atmosphere that T.G.I. Friday’s is hoping to capitalize on with a new location near Tokyo’s Gotanda Station, doubling down on the Americana with a Hollywood theme that the chain says will be different from established Friday’s locations in Japan. This one will actually be built directly into a building that once housed a former movie theater, and will feature replica Hollywood film memorabilia and posters. The restaurant’s operators hope to bring families and businessmen from the area, who presumably have not seen Office Space, in with the appeal of this Hollywood atmosphere.
The Gotanda venue will share established Japanese Friday’s locations’ signature flair bartending shows, which the Japanese, noted lovers of the 1980s film Cocktail, must believe happen just spontaneously all across America. For the record, American chains may or may not also do these; at least in my hometown location they didn’t, but that may just be due to one too many mishaps of customers taking a Smirnoff bottle to the face in the past.
For expats living around the Gotanda area, this may become a standard go-to for a taste of home starting July 1.
Source and Images: Watami Group




Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Family Mart ups its convenience store food game with special burger from beef bowl chain Matsuya
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Family Mart ups its convenience store food game with special burger from beef bowl chain Matsuya
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
We stroll down memory lane while actually strolling down Sazae-san-dori in Fukuoka City
Cast of this summer’s live-action Naruto stage play looks more awesome than ever in new photos
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Can we be just like Shohei Ohtani on a budget with a Hello Kitty cap?
Studio Ghibli adds more magic to its Kiki’s Delivery Service collection
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
We stroll down memory lane while actually strolling down Sazae-san-dori in Fukuoka City
Cast of this summer’s live-action Naruto stage play looks more awesome than ever in new photos
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Can we be just like Shohei Ohtani on a budget with a Hello Kitty cap?
Studio Ghibli adds more magic to its Kiki’s Delivery Service collection
Japanese model proudly displays armpit hair on giant ad at Shibuya
Our Hero is Back! Goku Returns After 17 Years With a Huge Box Office Bang! 【Impressions】
We travel to Gohoro Station, a tiny, remote station between tunnels in the mountains of Hokkaido
Eight surprising things to do in Northern Okinawa
Kirin tea drinks now available in adorable and artistic mix and match Disney labels!
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
Potama serves up epic rice balls like no other, and there’s only one store in Tokyo
Our reporter is willing to die on the pseudo-Italian restaurant Olive Hill