The March of the First Order at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida. Photo by Marcus Meyer.

'Snow Star Wars,' ANA's C-3PO Jet, Droids Rice Paddy in Aomori, and More

July 25, 2017

In this post, The Gaijin Ghost takes a step back, photo-wise, and joins the reader in living vicariously through the experiences of TDR Explorer contributor John Himpe, fellow travel blogger and Star Wars fan Tokyo Fox, and Walt Disney World Annual Pass holder Marcus Meyer.

Susukino Crossing at night, with Nikka Whiskey's King of Blenders sign visible on the side of the Susukino Building.

Susukino: Sapporo's Realm of Ramen and Ice - In 500 Words

May 15, 2017

Like Kabukicho in Tokyo, the Susukino neighborhood in Sapporo holds the distinction of being one of Japan’s major red-light districts. Here we will focus on a different side of Susukino: namely, its role as a ramen mecca, and a site for ice sculptures during the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Stormtrooper helmet art at the Mo Hitotsu no Star Wars Ten exhibition in Shiodome, Tokyo, on Christmas Day 2016. — Stormtrooper helmet art at the *Mo Hitotsu no* Star Wars *Ten* exhibition in Shiodome, Tokyo, on Christmas Day 2016.

'Star Wars' in Japan - Preface

February 28, 2017

It’s no secret that when George Lucas first began devising the Star Wars mythology, he drew heavily from Japanese influences.

Kylo Ren addresses a group of younglings (most likely before slaughtering them with his crossguard lightsaber) during the 2017 Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan.

The Sapporo Snow Festival's 'White Star Wars' Snow Sculpture

February 14, 2017

In 2017, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars, the 69th annual Sapporo Snow Festival unveiled a massive, Mount-Rushmore-like snow sculpture of the characters Kylo Ren, BB-8, C-3PO, and R2-D2.