Three days after every other person on the internet was posting “May the fourth be with you,” Tokyo Disneyland was flooded with Star Wars fans celebrating the grand reopening of Star Tours: the Adventures Continues. The ride offers a 3-D Star Wars experience with over 50 possible randomly selected story combinations. There’s no greater thrill than feeling as if you are rocketing through space, interacting with familiar Star Wars characters in the third dimension.
But what impressed our reporter, Tashiro-kun, the most was the fanfare that day. With around 200 Disney cast members dressed in Star Wars costume and more Disney-Star Wars merchandise than you can shake a light saber at, Tokyo Disneyland on May 7 was the place to be for Star Wars fans.
Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, even Jedi Mickey and Princess Leia Minnie made an appearance during the day, adding to the lively atmosphere. Many park guests were also dressed as Star Wars characters. You could truly feel everyone’s love of Star Wars.
▼ Jedi Mickey and Princess Leia Minnie.
▼ Everyone gathered around for a commemorative photo.
▼ R2-D2 and C-3P0 greeting guests as they enter Star Tours.
▼ Darth Maul!!!
▼ Obi-Wan Kenobi! He looks just like Ewan McGregor!!!
▼ Tashiro-kun hanging with Obi-Wan.
▼ It’s quite possible that Japanese Princess Leia is even hotter than the original. 
▼ Tashiro-kun “interviewing” Princess Leia.
Coinciding with the reopening of Star Tours, new Star Wars goods went on sale. Jedi Knight Mickey Mouse, Princess Leia Minnie Mouse, and R2-D2 Donald Duck were just a few of the many popular Disney characters given a Star Wars makeover.
The stuffed plush toy that caught Tashiro-kun’s attention the most was Yoda Stitch. Yoda, the Jedi Master (known as Yoda-sensei in Japanese) who trained scores of young Jedi and talks in enigmatic prose, has been turned into Stitch, the fun-loving trickster alien who chills out in Hawaii (or Okinawa if you’re watching in Japan). This fusion caused Tashiro-kun much confusion as he tried to figure out why two character with polar opposite personalities were used…maybe it’s the ears. But despite his bewilderment, Tashiro-kun just had to buy it.
As you might expect, Tashiro-kun had the best day in the happiest place on earth on the greatest day in Tokyo Disneyland history.
▼ Star Tours poster.
▼ Schedule of park events with Darth Vader on the cover.
▼ People waiting in line to ride Star Tours.
▼ Happy Tashiro-kun kindly showing us the way to Star Tours.
For those unable to make it to Tokyo Disneyland to experience Star Tours, we’ll leave you with a couple of cool Star Wars commercials from Japan.
▼ Darth Vader attacks Japan.
▼ Darth Vader attacks Okinawa.
▼ Japanese Star Tours commercial.
[ Read in Japanese ]
Star Wars “Cos-Me” hangers now on sale in Japan – Turn your coat into Vader’s cloak!
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue attraction is now open at Tokyo Disneyland!
Traditional Chinese art mixes with Star Wars characters to celebrate the New Year
Disney launches cute, chubby line of Tsum Tsum Star Wars characters in Japan 【Photos】
Eat, drink, and shop the world of Star Wars at five OH MY CAFE locations in Japan this winter
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
We recreate the delicious-looking meatball stew from Laputa: Castle in the Sky【SoraKitchen】
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
Low-Amazon-rated heater claims to melt car frost with energy blasts, does only half a thing right
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Japanese convenience store chain running out of fried chicken, takes precautions to save Christmas
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Star Wars and classic Japanese things aren’t done mashing yet! 【Photos】
Aomori’s fabled Nebuta Festival 2015 to feature Star Wars floats
Buy this Star Wars PC featuring Darth Vader’s ugly mug, impress your nerdy friends
“The Evolution of the Lightsaber Duel” reveals true extent of kendo’s influence on Star Wars movies
Star Wars-themed eyewear arrives in Japan, lets you see The Force with unparalleled clarity
Limited edition Star Wars sweets are the cutest collection of edible characters in the galaxy
Star Wars fever continues — we try out Darth Vader boots from UGG’s Star Wars Collection!
That time Japan went so Star Wars crazy that Luke and Vader made a canned tuna commercial 【Video】
Star Wars rice paddy art grows in Aomori Prefecture
Give in to the beautiful side of the Force with Japan’s new Star Wars skincare masks
Life-size gold Darth Vader mask is simply dazzling… and also worth US$1.4 million! 【Pics】
Awesome cardboard Darth Vader costume lets you become an eco-friendly Jedi villain【Video】
Hold the Force in the palm of your hand with limited edition Star Wars plushies from Takara Tomy
Message from Space: The Japanese Star Wars knockoff that hit theaters before A New Hope 【Video】
We visit a Yokohama bar for some Star Wars cocktails, get served by a world class bartender
Leave a Reply