STAR WARS CELEBRATION JAPAN 2025: DAY 3

Grabbing one more t-shirt at Hall 9.

Didn't do my homework

In my 'LIVE' feed on Instagram on the last day, I mentioned that it was likely the first time SWC had taken place in Japan. I was wrong. In 2008, Japan became a host to the galaxy far, far away with its inaugural Star Wars Celebration. "Celebration Japan" unfolded at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center from July 19th to 21st. The three-day festivities marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in Japanese cinemas on June 24, 1978.

Like "Return of the Jedi", SWC returned to Japan this year.

Is it the end already?

I have been "forewarned" since this was min första gången to SWC, and this trip would be an incredible experience for a newbie like me. Jeff, Eri and Nazim...well, they have been to such celebrations before so, they are the seasoned celebration attendees. I kept an open mind even though deep down inside I could only anticipate how exciting this was going to be.

Throwback May 2024

I found out about this celebration by chance while googling about Star Wars for no apparent reason and quickly confirmed the news through the Star Wars app I have on my phone. The app has many interesting features including official videos, official news, soundboards and of course, a game called Force Trainer where you learn to use the lightsaber with that little ball...You know, the Marksman-H, the small spherical device used in Jedi training to hone lightsaber skills and reflexes...Yeah...I played it while I was on an almost empty train once and it was rather fun until I noticed those few eyes watching me wondering what I was doing. Well, of course, I stopped when more passengers were boarding the train. Hehehe...Digressed a little there! Ooopss...

I find the lack of excitement about this app disturbing.

So, when I got to know about this, I quickly sent a text to Jeff wondering if he was

going. Star Wars Celebrations have always been held in the US, and the US is indeed very far from this little island and it would cost a huge hole in my pocket to go there. When the opportunity presented itself this galactic event would be held in Japan (and I've never been to Japan!), I made a bold decision to just go! Knowing that such tickets sell like hotcakes, I was very much mentally prepared should we fail to get tickets for the celebration while at the same time, I was manifesting and repeating this mantra: "The Force is strong with us. We are One with The Force and The Force is One with Us." every day and night. Never underestimate the power of The Force!

Reading back the WhatsApp exchanges between Jeff and me, I could not help but have that warmth in my heart and a huge grin on my face. I was having my Kaya Toast Set aka a champion's breakfast (according to Nazim) at Ya Kun Paragon when the very text which said: "Damn!!!" with a screenshot of "Your reservation was successful!" followed by "We got it!!!!!" at 0745hrs on May 3rd 2024 almost choked me. I wanted to SCREAAAAAAAAAAAAM and jump but I couldn't. I was in a public space and I was in my uniform. I must, no matter how difficult it would be, behave! I was pretty sure, the guy sitting opposite me noticed my silent excitement...trying very hard to contain myself.

Mixed feelings

I stood there in the shower at 0345hrs on the Sunday morning of 20th April, letting the water fall on my head and wet my face with my eyes closed feeling...well...not sad and not happy either...I don't know...That sense of emptiness hit me all of a sudden. I could not believe that this day had come and the Celebration was closing in. Flashbacks of those months leading up to the past 2 days of saving up, I self-studied crash course in some simple conversational Japanese from Ninjapanese on YouTube every day for eight weeks before leaving for Japan, choosing which luggage bag to use, telling my cat every day that I was going to Japan so that he would not be upset and miss me during my absence, all the other yada yadas...Wow! I just couldn't...I don't know. So conflicting.

You see when I first arrived at Narita International Airport while waiting for the limousine airport bus to transport me to my hotel, I stepped out for a bit only to feel a little nostalgic. The air outside reminded me so much of Sweden in spring, and that made me homesick. I was asking myself why was I not at Arlanda instead here I was in Tokyo. Sigh! I quickly gathered myself; I was in Japan for the greatest experience of my life - the Star Wars Celebration. Perhaps this was the reason for not wanting to leave Japan - reminded me so much of home. Jag känner mig hemlängtan. I also had to remind myself for the first time in my travelling life that, finally, I would not be alone. I would be in the company of 3 other like-minded beings from the galaxy not too far, far away. Although I find freedom, comfort and peace in travelling solo, sometimes it can get rather lonely; I have no one to share my little girl's intimate moments with somebody at times. I feel that pinching ache in my heart. Ouch.

After spending 3 days with these guys, I learned more about them; each one of them has a wicked sense of humour, is super sweet and is a tad mad about Star Wars.

...silence...pause...deep breath...

Well, The Force works in the most mysterious ways.

Post-Sithdrawal Celebration Syndrome

This is undeniably real. I arrived at Singapore Changi Airport at 0100hrs on the 21st of April and returned to work the following day. Not sure if that was a wise decision. I felt it. I felt it in every fibre of my body. Physically I was back. Spiritually, I was still lingering in Tokyo. I had no idea how I got through work that day but I did. Even as I am writing this at this exact moment, I can feel a small fraction of my spirit still in Makuhari Messe re-living the Celebration. Will I ever recover from this? I don't know. I'm not sure. It has been a month now and it is taking me this long to recover. As I confided in one of the celebration veterans, he said this is only Japan. Imagine if I had been to the US. Coming back from the Celebration in the US will be entirely another level of withdrawal syndrome! Herregud!

Why do all good things come to an end?

There are just no exact words or verbs or adjectives to describe the whole 3-day experience in Japan. Seeing so many people from all over the world coming together for one celebration, there is still HOPE for humankind in this world undoubtedly. It was insane. It was overwhelming. It was spectacular. It was mindboggling. Too much to absorb in one go. My brain just KAPLOOOOOFF-ed!! It felt like a huge gush of The Force hit me and I fell into a 3-day deep coma. I am simply lost for words. You have to be there to immerse yourself in this Universe. Be awed by everything. The cosplayers. Oh my! I now look at my celebration veteran friends and their commitments to the 501st SG with a lot of admiration and respect. You guys just added new chapters to my Book of Soul. I look forward to filling them up with new-found knowledge of the Star Wars world. Thank you.

どうもありがとうございます, Japan, for hosting the out-of-this-world event. Hope we will make it to the next Star Wars Celebration in 2027.

Okay, here it is...moments from the last day of SWCJ 2025.

Finale SWCJ 2025.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU, ALL OF YOU...ALWAYS!