
We know you’ve kept you waiting, but it’s finally time to announce the winner of the RocketNews24 competition!
Join us after the jump to find out who we’ll be flying over to Japan to fulfil their Japan dream experience!
Back at the end of March we asked you to send in your one minute videos telling us the wishes you wanted to have granted in Japan. We here at the office were then faced with the extremely difficult task of looking through the many, many wonderful entries we had and whittling them down to just a few who would go through to the Skype interview round. Everyone who got through to this stage was a real pleasure to talk with and worthy of winning, but of course there could only be one person whose dream we could help make come true.
And that winner is… Ashley “Zayane” Lovings!
Ashley is a 26-year-old from the USA, and her wish involves traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto via the shinkansen to experience the famous Gion Matsuri, with a few other things along the way. She won us over with her enthusiasm, humor, and passion for enka music.
Here’s Ashley’s original entry video:
After finally deciding on her as our winner, we decided to surprise Ashley with the good news over Skype, under the guise that we needed to clarify a few things from the previous interview. Her reaction was absolutely priceless:
We can’t wait to bring Ashley over here and have her share her experience with our readers! Thank you again to everyone who took the time to enter. We’re sorry we couldn’t make more of your dreams come true, but we look forward to having many more opportunities to give back to our fabulous readers in the future.
Top Image: Seu

We say goodbye to our Japan Wish winner and look back on her time in Japan【Video】
Announcing the winners of our RocketNews24 x TokyoTreat KitKat Collection Box giveaway!
Announcing the winners of the RocketNews24 Pikachu ramen giveaway contest!
Does arriving in Japan meet Ashley’s expectations? Our lucky winner gets emotional
We’re giving away Pikachu ramen in the RocketNews24 reader contest!
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
This Japanese 7-Eleven has the most expensive drinks, and item, we’ve even seen at the chain
Is Tokyo’s Odaiba, once one of its trendiest neighborhoods, becoming a ghost town? [Photos]
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Foreign travelers arrested in Japan following smash-and-grab robbery in Tokyo shopping mall
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Despite raging typhoon, Gion Matsuri goes on as it has for over 1,000 years【Video】
Halloween cosplay at the Pouch/RocketNews24 Japan offices – 2013 edition
Going to Japan? Be sure to check out our official RocketNews24 travel guide!
Ayato Nikukyu, one of Japan’s hottest cosplayers, visits RocketNews24 for an exclusive interview
RocketNews24’s giant teddy bear goes looking for some new friends at Costco Japan 【Photos】
RocketNews24’s top 10 Japan Events of 2016: Did your favorite make the list?
RocketNews24’s Meg models the entire line of Japan’s new schoolgirl outfit loungewear 【Photos】