It’s not where you’d expect a summer beer garden to be, but we’ve been surprised before and couldn’t pass up a chance to investigate.
beer garden
This summer, Hooters is opening a pair of beer gardens in Osaka and Tokyo for a limited time. Although there have been a pair of Hooters restaurants in Tokyo, this is the first time the American franchise has made it down to Osaka.
Always eager to bring you the best news from Japan sprinkled with a variety of cultural insights, we headed down to the grand opening to give you two reviews: one from a guy who used to live up the street from a Hooters in his home country of Canada, and the other from a Osaka native who had never even heard of the place. Together we can see if Hooters Osaka maintains the lively atmosphere of the chain in America but also caters to Japanese sensibilities. You know… because we’re really into marketing science and stuff.
With Golden Week over, it means summer and hot, humid days are just around the corner. Knowing you’ll need a cooling and refreshing oasis to escape to in the months ahead, Mr. Sato headed over to the Mori Trust Garden in Toranomom District, Tokyo to scope out the offerings at Kirin’s Ichiban Garden.



Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Tokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
It’s a race against time with Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated hourglass
Make-them-yourself Pokémon frappes arrive at Japanese convenience stores, can be mixed at home too
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Pokémon Center superstores won’t sell new Pokémon cards in-store, but will it stop scalpers?
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Tokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
It’s a race against time with Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated hourglass
Make-them-yourself Pokémon frappes arrive at Japanese convenience stores, can be mixed at home too
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Pokémon Center superstores won’t sell new Pokémon cards in-store, but will it stop scalpers?
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Rolling suitcase with built-in desk is perfect for mobile businesspeople and cosplayers alike
Site of the worst bear attack in Japanese history is a chilling place to visit
Otōshi: Japan’s Curious Compulsory Appetizers
Waiter, there’s a SNAKE in my soup — we try Cantonese delicacy snake stew in Hong Kong
Second-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
Starbucks Japan joins Been There drinkware line with 20 cool designs for all over Japan【Pics】