Hey everyone! Ryan here, back with another update for Adventures Assemble—your favorite blog/podcast/vlog about nerd travel, awkward planning, and geeking out on the road. And guess what? The countdown is on: I leave for Japan in exactly TWO WEEKS!
Table of Contents
The Clock Is Ticking…
As I write this, it’s April 2nd, and my flight to Tokyo departs on April 16th. I’ll land in Japan on April 17th, and Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 kicks off the very next day on April 18th. Let the pre-trip excitement (and panic) begin!
Let’s talk about some updates—good, bad, and nerdy.
Star Wars Celebration Panel Woes
On the last episode, I mentioned trying to snag reservations for the major Celebration panels. Well, I tried. I waited in the virtual queue, and… it didn’t go great. By the time I got in, most of the reservations were already gone. The only one I managed to score was for the Andor: A Star Wars Story panel—but not in the main hall. I got a seat in one of the streaming overflow rooms where they broadcast it live from the big stage. It’s not the full experience, but I’ll take it.
Still, I’m stoked. Andor is one of my favorite Star Wars things ever, and I’ll get to see previews and teases before Season 2 drops (which, by the way, premieres April 22nd—while I’m still in Japan!).
Jet Lag Is Gonna Win
I’ve read that it’s smart to start shifting your sleep schedule to Japan time before the trip, but that’s… not gonna happen. It’s just not realistic. I’d basically have to start waking up in the middle of the night here in California. So my new strategy? Power through.
When I land at 4:30 PM Japan time, I’m assuming my brain will be very confused. But I’ll push through, stumble to my hotel, and try to sleep at a normal Japan hour so I’m functional for Celebration the next morning. Will it work? TBD. Stay tuned for Jet Lagged Ryan.
The Itinerary Is Taking Shape
So what’s locked in so far?
- April 16: Fly from San Francisco to Tokyo
- April 17: Arrive in Japan (!!!)
- April 18–20: Star Wars Celebration Japan
- April 22: See the Yomiuri Giants vs. Chunichi Dragons at the Tokyo Dome
- April 23: Check out of Tokyo and head to Osaka via Shinkansen
In Tokyo, I’ll be doing late-night izakaya tours, sake tastings, and nerdy shopping. I’m definitely eyeing one of those Tokyo local bar crawls in Shinjuku. They look super fun, and I think having a guide show me the secret spots will make the nights more exciting (and less “wander around until I find a 7-Eleven”).
Post-Tokyo: The Kansai Quest Begins
Once I leave Tokyo on the 23rd, I’ve got eight days to explore the rest of the country before flying home. The plan is:
- Osaka (base camp for a few nights)
- Day trips to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe
- Visit Expo 2025
- Then off to Hiroshima for a few days
I’m still figuring out whether to split hotels between Osaka and Kyoto or just stay in one place and make day trips. Logistically, staying in Osaka and using it as a hub sounds easier—I won’t have to keep dragging my suitcase from place to place.
It’s a little like solving a JRPG travel puzzle.
Hiroshima on the Horizon
Of course, I’ll visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima, but I’ve heard the city has way more to offer than just somber history. I’m excited to explore the culture, food, and what I’m told is a really vibrant city that’s about way more than just its past.
This whole trip is about stretching out of my comfort zone, seeing new places, and trying things I’ve never done before. I’ve done lots of nerdy travel within the U.S., but this is my first big international solo trip—and it’s honestly a little scary.
Recording on the Road
Here’s the good news: I’m bringing my mic, and I’m planning to record podcast episodes in Japan! I don’t know how frequently I’ll upload them—editing may be light or non-existent while I’m traveling—but I’ll definitely have content coming your way during the trip. I’m hoping to shoot some video and get it up on the Adventures Assemble YouTube channel, too.
Expect a mix of audio logs, blog posts, maybe some unedited vlogs, and then a whole bunch of polished content when I get back home. This journey is just getting started.
Next Steps
By the next post, I hope to have:
- A full itinerary locked in
- All hotel reservations made
- More day tours booked (especially food-related ones)
- A clearer vision of how I’m getting from place to place
I’m building this whole adventure one piece at a time, and sharing it as I go. If you’ve got suggestions, tips, or favorite spots in any of the cities I’m visiting, I’d love to hear them.
We are two weeks away from liftoff. Thanks for coming along on the ride—this is going to be epic.
