
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




Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Godiva melts minds by releasing a new corn chocolate drink in Japan
Shinto shrine’s night sky firefly sweets are Japan’s newest breathtaking, mouthwatering desserts.
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Godiva melts minds by releasing a new corn chocolate drink in Japan
Shinto shrine’s night sky firefly sweets are Japan’s newest breathtaking, mouthwatering desserts.
Retro fashion magazines from Tokyo’s street market remind Mr. Sato of a special gift from his dad
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Gun found in Japanese convenience store restroom, traced to forgetful on-duty cop
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
Tourists brave Typhoon Jangmi to queue at two famous sites in Tokyo
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Retro fashion magazines from Tokyo’s street market remind Mr. Sato of a special gift from his dad
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Gun found in Japanese convenience store restroom, traced to forgetful on-duty cop
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Starbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Fukushima City on edge as resourceful and violent bear still not found
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain Matsuya opens gourmet Premium Matsuya with Kobe beef…inside Matsuya
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
This shop combines traditional Japanese sweets with…mayonnaise?!?[Taste test]
Lawson opens a new mini supermarket, and the lucky bags can essentially stock your kitchen
A Japanese toast sandwich remix: The toasted rice rice ball[SoraKitchen]
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think