
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 considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Starbucks Japan now offers close-to-closing discounted items through its mobile order app
Sushi passed up by ramen in survey of foreign tourists’ favorite thing to eat in Japan, but why?
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Starbucks Japan now offers close-to-closing discounted items through its mobile order app
Sushi passed up by ramen in survey of foreign tourists’ favorite thing to eat in Japan, but why?
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Beef bowl king Yoshinoya to start serving ramen this summer with new beefy mazesoba
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Beef bowl king Yoshinoya to start serving ramen this summer with new beefy mazesoba
All of Evangelion exhibit showing largest-ever collection of Eva art and design documents in Tokyo
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
All Tokyo public high schools abolish rules forcing students to dye non-black hair, underwear color regs
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Yoshinoya sells frozen beef bowl topping packs, but are they as good as the restaurant kind?
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
Leave a Reply