Hey friends, Ryan here—and I can hardly believe it, but we are officially two days away from lift-off. That’s right, in 48 hours, I’ll be boarding a flight at SFO and heading to Tokyo, Japan for my biggest nerd travel adventure yet.

I’m feeling a cocktail of emotions—mainly excitement, but there’s definitely a bit of nervous energy in the mix too. This is happening. Star Wars Celebration. Ramen. Shinkansen. Izakayas. Gachapon. All of it. Let’s break down where I’m at and what the game plan looks like.

The Golden Rule of Travel: Ticket, Money, Passport… Smartphone?

I’ve been prepping like crazy, but a wise friend reminded me of the most important travel checklist ever: ticket, money, passport. Add “smartphone” to that list in 2025, and we’re good to go.

• ✅ Plane ticket (in my phone)
• ✅ Passport (double and triple checked)
• ✅ Yen + card
• ✅ Phone (plus all my downloaded apps and Google Translate!)

Everything else? I can figure it out when I get there.

My Japan Itinerary Is Locked In

Let’s talk logistics. I’ve got the bones of my trip in place. Here’s the breakdown:

Tokyo (April 17–23)

I land at 4:30 PM on April 17 and check into my hotel for six nights. The first three full days (April 18–20) are dedicated to Star Wars Celebration Japan. It’s the reason this whole adventure is happening.

But unlike past trips where the con was the centerpiece, this time it feels like just part of a much bigger journey. I’m visiting Japan for the very first time, and there’s so much I want to see, eat, and explore.

Other Tokyo plans include:

• Late-night izakaya tours (possibly guided)
• Sake tastings
• Exploring Akihabara, nerd heaven
• An evening at the Tokyo Dome to see the Yomiuri Giants vs. Chunichi Dragons
• Day trip to the Izu Peninsula (with weird museums and gorgeous coastline)

Osaka Basecamp (April 23–27)

After Tokyo, I hop on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. I’ll be staying there for four nights and using it as a home base for day trips to:

• Kyoto
• Nara
• Kobe
• Expo 2025, aka the World’s Fair

Rather than hotel-hopping, I’m going to leave my luggage in Osaka and travel light on the day trips. More efficient, less stress. I got that tip from Sunny in Japan, a YouTuber I’ve been following who’s super helpful.

Hiroshima (April 27–29)

From Osaka, I’ll head further west to Hiroshima. I’ll spend two nights there, definitely planning to visit:

• Peace Memorial Park & Museum
• Possibly scope out some food spots and lesser-known museums

Hiroshima is more than just its history, and I’m eager to experience it firsthand.

Kanazawa (April 29–May 1)

The final stop on this whirlwind tour is Kanazawa, a city on the north side of Honshu. I’ll spend my last two nights in Japan here before heading back to Tokyo to catch my flight home on May 1.

It’s about a 2-hour train ride to the airport, so I’m giving myself plenty of time—but I’ve also got a backup plan in case I need to head back to Tokyo the night before.

New Toys: Gearing Up for Content

I picked up an Insta360 camera so I can capture immersive video while I’m in Japan. I’m hoping to get a few videos up on the Adventures Assemble YouTube channel during the trip, and there’ll definitely be more polished content when I get home.

I’m also bringing my microphone, so expect at least a couple podcast episodes from Japan. I’ll likely record short audio logs each night and combine them into a bigger “daily diary” episode.

Travel Tips I’ve Picked Up

I’ve been devouring YouTube videos from creators like Hoang Pham, who offers super practical advice. Here are a few tips that stuck:

• Pack light. You’ll want suitcase space for shopping, especially if you’re a nerd like me.
• Japanese public bathrooms often don’t have paper towels or soap—bring hand sanitizer.
• Trash cans are rare, but streets are spotless. You carry your trash with you until you find a bin (usually at convenience stores).
• Bring a coin pouch. You’re going to end up with a lot of coins.
• Some hotels have laundry facilities, or you can do the “buy more T-shirts” method (guess which one I’m going with?).

What I’m Most Excited About

Honestly? Everything. But here’s a quick hit list of some things I can’t wait for:

• Star Wars Celebration Japan (especially the Andor panel)
• Tokyo food tours and egg salad sandwiches
• Seeing the quirky vending machines I’ve watched a million YouTube videos about
• Exploring theme cafes, from Gundam to Final Fantasy
• Finding weird souvenirs and capsule toys
• Trying Japanese McDonald’s and Taco Bell
• Hiking in the Izu Peninsula
• Walking through shrines in Kyoto and spotting deer in Nara
• The World’s Fair in Osaka

This trip is a mix of classic tourist moments, nerd adventures, and spontaneous weirdness—which is exactly what I want Adventures Assemble to be.

What’s Next for Adventures Assemble

This will be the last episode/post before Japan. After that, things are gonna get a little more real. Expect travel updates from the road, videos, daily diaries, and plenty of stories about me getting lost, eating incredible food, and experiencing Japan through nerd-colored glasses.

When I’m back home, I’ll dive into the editing cave and turn everything into more polished videos and blog posts. But for now? I’m ready to embrace the chaos.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fellow traveler, a Japan nerd, or just someone who likes watching other people bumble through international trips—thanks for coming along with me. I’m not an expert. I’m figuring it out as I go. But I’m learning, I’m growing, and I’m excited to share every step.

Episode 5 will come to you straight from Japan. I can’t wait.

Catch you on the other side!