Nihonbashi Philly, the Philadelphia-themed sports bar and beloved cheesesteak spot in Tokyo, Japan, is coming to the city for two pop-up events on April 30 and May 5, respectively, writes Julia Binswanger for Billy Penn at WHYY.
The popular Tokyo eatery began as a passion project by married couple Kosuke and Tomomi Chujo. Kosuke has been a huge fan of Philadelphia since his youth due to its music scene. In 2011, he decided to transform his parents’ former business into a Philly-themed bar.
The couple first tried to come up with their own cheesesteak since they had never visited Philadelphia, but they received a mixed reaction. They decided to take a trip to the United States in 2021, where they meticulously studied various cheesesteak spots, examining the different rolls, cheeses, and ribeye slices to create their own take on this timeless classic.
The new signature sandwich they unveiled in 2022 received a much better reaction.
Now, Philadelphians will also get a chance to try it, when the couple returns to Philadelphia at the end of the month.
On April 30, Nihonbashi Philly will host a pop-up with Liberty Kitchen Fishtown.
Details about the May 5 pop-up are still unknown, but are expected to be announced on Nihonbashi Philly’s social media accounts.
Read more about Nihonbashi Philly and its pending Philly arrival in Billy Penn at WHYY.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in April 2025.
