Hey friends! Welcome to the very first blog post for Adventures Assemble, part of the Zoodletron Podcast Network.

I’m Ryan and I’m kicking off this whole project with some huge news: I’m going to Japan! Not just for fun (though, yes, also for fun), but to attend Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo. This is the start of a wild adventure, and I’m bringing you along for the ride—especially if you’re into nerd tourism, pop culture pilgrimages, and geeky globetrotting.

What Is Adventures Assemble?

Adventures Assemble is my podcast/blog/YouTube combo series where I dive into nerdy travel around the world. That could mean flying across the globe for a massive convention, exploring anime hotspots in Japan, or just checking out a retro toy store in Northern California. Big or small, I’m on a quest to experience all the geeky goodness this planet has to offer.

And here’s the twist: I’m not some seasoned world traveler. I’m figuring this out as I go—and that’s part of the fun. If you’re a first-time traveler or just a nerd looking to get inspired, I hope you’ll find some value (and laughs) in my journey.

Why Japan? Why Star Wars Celebration?

So how did this all come about? I’ve been to Star Wars Celebration before—Chicago in 2019 and Anaheim in 2022. (There was supposed to be one in 2020, but, you know… pandemic.)

The idea of going to Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 had been floating around in my head since they announced it in 2023. I decided: Let’s do this. I’d never been to Japan or anywhere in Asia, and this felt like the perfect nerd excuse to make it happen. Once I bought my ticket to Celebration, the trip became real. Dates locked. No backing out.

Sure, the timing isn’t perfect. I’m in the middle of moving in with my girlfriend, and things are hectic. But if I didn’t book it, I would’ve just kept saying “someday” and never gone. So here we are—flights booked, April 16 to May 1. I’m doing it.

What’s the Plan?

First stop: Star Wars Celebration 2025 at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, happening April 18–20. I’ll be spending a few days in Tokyo for the event and nerding out with other fans. Then, I’m hopping on the bullet train to Osaka, where I’ll check out Expo 2025, explore Kyoto and Nara (yes, I’m going to pet the famous deer), and then loop back to Tokyo before flying home.

I don’t have everything figured out yet—where I’m staying, what I’m doing day-to-day, or how much Japanese I can remember. (Spoiler: not a lot. I tried to learn! It’s… hard.) But that’s part of the adventure. I’ll be navigating this whole thing in real time and sharing it with you.

Let’s Talk Star Wars Celebration 2025

So… tickets? Yeah. They’re sold out. Completely. I was lucky to grab a 3-day adult pass when they first went on sale, but VIP badges were out of reach (pricey!).

If you’re still looking for tickets, your best bet is maybe a secondhand sale or a last-minute release. Just be careful if you’re buying from unofficial sources like eBay. There used to be a resale platform called Lyte, but it shut down.

As of now, not much has been announced about panels, merch, or programming. But based on past events, I’m guessing there will be a big Andor Season 2 reveal, and probably a lot of Mandalorian and Ahsoka love. Guests already confirmed include Hayden Christensen, Rosario Dawson, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Anthony Daniels, Ashley Eckstein, and more. You can also book photo ops and autographs, but be ready to drop some serious credits (like $400+ for a duo shot with Anakin and Ahsoka).

Where Am I Staying?

Good question. I don’t know yet.

There are official Star Wars Celebration hotel blocks, but they’re expensive. Some are pretty far from the convention center, too. I’m hoping to find something closer to $100/night, in a fun part of Tokyo where I can enjoy the city after each day at the con.

I don’t mind a bit of a commute if it means I get to explore more of Tokyo. The show ends in the early evening, so I’ll have plenty of time to eat amazing food and have mini-adventures after each day at Celebration.

Can You Go to Japan Without Knowing Japanese?

Yes! That’s the plan.

I’ve learned a few words, some kanji, and basic phrases, but I’m far from fluent. Thankfully, Tokyo is super tourist-friendly, and a lot of signs are in English. Between that, translation apps, and the universal language of pointing at stuff, I think I’ll survive.

Still, I highly recommend learning polite phrases like “please,” “thank you,” and “where is the bathroom?”

Travel Tips I’ve Picked Up So Far

• Suica Card: Get one for trains and vending machines. If you have an iPhone, you can add it to your digital wallet.
• JR Rail Pass: They recently raised the prices, so it may not be worth it anymore. Research carefully.
• Flight Prices: From California, I paid around $1,000. I booked through Kayak.
• YouTube Research: I highly recommend the channel Kensho Quest for Japan travel tips. Super informative.

What Else Am I Going to Do?

Besides Celebration, I’m planning to hit up:

• Akihabara – the nerd capital of the world. Anime, games, tech, cosplay, the works. Check out my Akihabara Guide here.
• Ghibli Museum – if I can get tickets.
• Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea – maybe. I’m curious how it compares to the U.S. parks.
• All the Food – ramen, curry, sushi, and especially egg salad sandwiches, which apparently are amazing in Japan.

Follow the Journey

This is just the beginning of my nerdy adventure in Japan. Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll be sharing:

• Podcast episodes
• Blog posts
• Eventually, YouTube videos (once I get my studio situation sorted)
• Travel guides and resources on Zoodletron.com

If you’re going to Japan, going to Star Wars Celebration, or just love this kind of content, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment, shoot me a message, or just hang out for the ride.

Let’s see where this adventure takes us. Next stop: Tokyo!