✏️ Episode Description:

In this deeply personal episode of Adventures Assemble, I check in from Osaka with a raw and real update on my first week in Japan. From the highs of epic ramen and electric baseball games to the lows of jet lag and a 102° fever, it’s been a wild ride—and not quite the one I expected.

I talk about attending Star Wars Celebration 2025, getting lost (and found) on trains, bonding with fellow fans, and navigating sickness abroad for the third Celebration in a row (yes, again). This is not the fantasy version of nerd tourism—it’s the actual adventure, bumps and all.

Whether you're planning your own trip to Japan or just want to hear what it's like to power through the chaos of a dream trip gone sideways, this one’s for you.

📌 Show Notes:

What I Cover in This Episode:

• 🇯🇵 Arriving in Japan: flight details, customs tips, and first impressions
• 🚉 My chaotic train ride to Star Wars Celebration in Chiba
• 👕 Picking up my badge and missing out on exclusive merch (again)
• 💥 First impressions of Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025
• 📉 Why I bailed on panels and went temple-hopping in Tokyo
• 🦠 Getting sick (for the third Star Wars Celebration in a row!)
• 🥢 Ramen highlights: Jikasei Mensho & ICHIRAN
• ⚾️ Japanese baseball magic: Yomiuri Giants vs. Chunichi Dragons
• 🍜 Food adventures in Osaka: takoyaki, skewers, and gyoza redemption
• 🏞️ Visiting Kobe, the herb garden, and the waterfront
• 😷 Reflections on traveling while sick and making the most of it

Tips & Takeaways:

• Use Visit Japan Web for your customs QR code before flying
• If you’re staying in Chiba: it’s nice, but be ready for long commutes
• Bring fever meds, just in case... seriously
• Ramen in Japan might spiritually realign you
• Don’t shake a sick celebrity’s hand. Just don’t.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Star Wars Celebration 2025 at Makuhari Messe
• Jikasei Mensho (Shibuya) – mind-blowing ramen
• ICHIRAN Ramen – famous solo-booth ramen experience
• APA Hotels – consistent and budget-friendly
• Big Camera (Chiba) – your one-stop shop for... literally everything
• Yomiuri Giants vs. Chunichi Dragons – Tokyo Dome baseball!
• Dotonbori District (Osaka) – food, neon, and energy
• Kobe Herb Garden – peaceful escape with views
• Disney Ikspiari (Chiba) – not quite the Disney magic, but a change of pace

Next Episode Tease:
I head to Kyoto! Temples, geishas, nerdy surprises, and (hopefully) a fully functioning immune system.