The talk show host immerses himself in a world of kawaii with some of Harajuku’s most colourful fashionistas.
Ever since American late night talk show host Conan O’Brien announced he would be coming to Japan to visit Conan Town, we’ve been counting down the days to his arrival, eager to see what type of shenanigans he would get up to during his stay.
As it turns out, we didn’t have to wait long as Conan wasted no time in heading out to meet the locals on his first day in Japan, and his first port of call was Tokyo’s fashionable Harajuku district, where he made friends with the locals and filmed this short clip for his 28.5 million followers on Twitter.
Konnichiwa! I’ve arrived in #Japan to film a new episode of #ConanWithoutBorders. Already making new friends. #ConanJapan pic.twitter.com/1y3CGQDyFm
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) September 3, 2018
Not long after posting this message to his fans, and to his friends in Tottori Prefecture’s Conan Town, who are bracing themselves for the approaching typhoon, the talk show host suddenly appeared in a more colourful outfit.
Day 1. #ConanJapan pic.twitter.com/zUEnt2Dyp4
— Aaron Bleyaert (@AaronBleyaert) September 3, 2018
Aaron Bleyaert, known for playing video games on TV with Conan during the show’s “Clueless Gamer” segment, also films Facebook Live videos when Conan travels abroad. Today he was back with a new video showing Conan and his team navigating Harajuku’s notoriously crowded Takeshita Street.
As well as rubbing shoulders with Japanese locals, Conan bumped into some fans from around the world during his stroll through the district.
Video too!!! pic.twitter.com/Et1puWCNsR
— Thomas Villainous (@TommyVillain) September 3, 2018
After stopping to take photos with fans, Conan then met up with some of Harajuku’s most colourful fashionistas, who took him to the Kawaii Monster Cafe nearby.
▼ Pictured below, from left to right: Miochin, Conan, Sebastian Masuda, and Kanata.
Just before I left, my daughter said “Dad, don’t embarrass me in Japan.”#ConanJapan pic.twitter.com/YhZhy5jgV5
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) September 3, 2018
Miochin is an artist and “Harajuku talent and creator” who loves colour and knows her way around the area’s best second-hand clothing stores.
Our album drops never. #conanjapan pic.twitter.com/vmJEBtUPCB
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) September 3, 2018
▼ Miochin models an outfit sourced from thrift stores.
Kanata is a fashionista from 6%DOKIDOKI, a “sensational kawaii store” which has been in business since 1995.
Sebastian Masuda is the owner of 6%DOKIDOKI, and a legendary figure in Japan’s kawaii scene. Often credited with starting the trend in the 90s, Masuda is an artist and designer who travels the world to spread his special brand of kawaii to other countries.
Masuda is also the designer of Kawaii Monster Cafe, a themed restaurant that’s more like an explosion of crazy, colour, and cute. This was the next stop for Conan and his team, who made their way to the cafe at the 12:30 mark in the video below.
While Conan was keen to immerse himself in Harajuku’s kawaii culture, this is just the start of many adventures for him and his team, who are due to visit the Mayor of Hokue to collect their three trillion dollars later this week. Let’s just hope the approaching typhoon doesn’t get in their way.
Source: Facebook/@teamcoco
Featured image: Twitter/@ConanOBrien

Conan O’Brien visits Conan Town in Japan…but things don’t go entirely as planned
Conan O’Brien asks Hideo Kojima for a job, sings Live Band Karaoke, and says sayonara to Japan
Conan Town prepares for Conan O’Brien’s visit with burgers and a special video
Conan O’Brien sits down for a traditional kaiseki meal with Jordan Schlansky in Japan 【Video】
What happened when Conan O’Brien visited the Toto Japanese toilet showroom in Tokyo 【Video】
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale
Finally! Japan’s big three convenience store chains announce rice ball price reductions
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
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
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
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
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】
Conan O’Brien in Japan episode features Toto toilets, Harajuku, a rented family and Conan Town
Hideo Kojima gives Conan O’Brien a job in Death Stranding in Japan【Video】
Conan O’Brien turns into a goldfish for a surprise Korean drama cameo
Conan O’Brien is taking South Korea by storm all thanks to some Korean snacks【Videos】
Mayor of Japan’s Conan Town to Conan O’Brien “If you want the money, come visit”【Video】
Conan O’Brien announces trip to Japan in negotiation over rural Tottori Prefecture’s Conan Town
Conan O’Brien lays out his case that anime’s Detective Conan is just a copy of him【Video】
Kawaii Monster Land getting set to become Harajuku’s newest whimsical underground wonderland