The mayor of Hokuei is ready to meet Conan’s demands, but he has a few surprises up his sleeve for the talk show host as well.
American talk show host Conan O’Brien landed in Japan earlier this week, and he wasted no time in hanging with the cool kids in Harajuku and dining on sumptuous traditional Japanese cuisine with his comedy pal and associate producer Jordan Schlansky.
While he was having fun in Tokyo, though, there was another location not far from his mind: Conan Town, located in Hokuei in rural Tottori Prefecture. After all, Conan Town was the entire purpose for his visit, as he was coming to collect three trillion yen from its mayor, Mayor Maysumoto, as part of his lighthearted claim to the name Detective Conan and Conan Town.
However, Typhoon Jebi, the strongest to hit Japan in 25 years, was barrelling towards Conan Town when the talk show host arrived in Tokyo, and he made sure to let everyone know he was thinking of them as they battened down the hatches against the storm.
Thankfully, Conan Town wasn’t directly under the path of the typhoon, and now that the storm has passed, Conan’s visit is set to go ahead as planned. While the talk show host has been busy exploring the nation’s capital, Hokuei has been quietly preparing for his visit, with a number of interesting activities planned for him and the people of Conan Town.
According to their official Twitter account, Hokuei has been in touch with the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Bill Hagerty, who offered to come and “negotiate a peaceful resolution” to the demands of Conan and Mayor Matsumoto.
Mayor Matsumoto, @conanobrien : This is US Amb to Japan Bill Hagerty. I offer my services to negotiate a peaceful resolution to your respective demands. We must ensure continued peace and tranquility between the people of Conan Town and Conan. 🙋♂️🇺🇸🇯🇵 @TeamCoco #ConanTown https://t.co/8CK2VQpYJB
— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) August 31, 2018
With Conan demanding to have a laundromat named after him, a key to the city and residents’ homes, and his iconic hairdo on a Detective Conan statue in Conan Town, it might be a good idea to have the Ambassador on hand to help “ensure continued peace and tranquility between the people of Conan Town and Conan.”
In return, Mayor Matsumoto demanded to have his face on Mount Rushmore, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and 15,000 American hamburgers (one for every resident of Conan Town). Conan responded by saying he would parachute a steer into Conan Town so they can all have “perfect American hamburgers”.
▼ Hokuei then got in touch with the ambassador to request clearance for the steer to be parachuted into Japan.
Dear US Amb Hagerty: We appreciate your offer. Please come help us negotiate a peaceful resolution. Also, we could use your assistance receiving ATC clearance to parachute one goggled steer into Japan. How do you like your hamburger, medium rare or well-done? #Hokuei @TeamCoco https://t.co/9LKXjaFINN
— 北栄町 (Hokuei Town) (@koho_hokuei) September 2, 2018
This tweet, posted today, suggests that Ambassador Hagerty may in fact be visiting Conan Town tomorrow to assist with burger diplomacy.
Dear US Amb Hagerty: Thank you for introducing to the world one of Hokuei's specialty products. How about enjoying some hamburgers together and eating to the future of the USA and Japan? Let's bridge our counties together through burgers. https://t.co/03za5HYuKg
— 北栄町 (Hokuei Town) (@koho_hokuei) September 4, 2018
Not long after the above tweet was posted, Hokuei sent out another tweet, this time revealing Conan’s schedule for his visit to Conan Town tomorrow, beginning with his arrival at Tottori Airport at 10:55 a.m.
Conan O'Brien is coming to Hokuei on Thurs., Sep. 6:
— 北栄町 (Hokuei Town) (@koho_hokuei) September 5, 2018
★10:55AM: Arrival to Tottori Airport (All Welcome!)
★Afternoon: Filming on location in Hokuei.
★1:30PM: BBQ at Yura Conan Station.
(1,000 hamburgers available, first-come-first-serve)
PARKING: Town Office, JA ...
While it appears that Mayor Matsumoto’s demands for 15,000 burgers has now beeen reduced to 1,000 burgers, served on a first-come-first-served basis, it looks like there’s still a lot to look forward to when Conan comes to Conan Town tomorrow. And to let everyone know they’re ready for the big day, Hokuei sent out this tweet, showing that they’re ready to meet Conan’s demands to have his face put up on their laundromat…well, maybe.
We're ready for you, but are you ready for us?
— 北栄町 (Hokuei Town) (@koho_hokuei) September 5, 2018
こちらは準備万端だよ。コナン・オブライエンさん、そっちの準備はOK? pic.twitter.com/z25QxViMgP
As another teaser, Hokuei retweeted this tweet sent out by X-Japan legend Yoshiki on his official account.
Marc! Thanx for the tweet! I'm back in LA. Wow,I found this,#名探偵コナン vs #ConanOBrien.
— Yoshiki (@YoshikiOfficial) September 4, 2018
PEACE!! #MemoryMonday https://t.co/nrocGygJOf
RT@Benioff I’m really hoping that @ConanOBrien gets to meet the one and only @YoshikiOfficial on his trip to #ConanJapan.Match made in heaven pic.twitter.com/P7nJLBxRjQ
While Yoshiki appears to be overseas at the moment, we don’t want to rule out the possibility that he might make an appearance at Conan Town tomorrow. Whatever happens, we’ve got our eyes set on the sleepy seaside town and we’ll be bringing you all the updates as soon as they happen!
Source: Twitter/@koho_hokuei
Featured image: Twitter/@koho_hokuei

Conan O’Brien visits Conan Town in Japan…but things don’t go entirely as planned
Conan O’Brien announces trip to Japan in negotiation over rural Tottori Prefecture’s Conan Town
Mayor of Japan’s Conan Town to Conan O’Brien “If you want the money, come visit”【Video】
Conan O’Brien in Japan episode features Toto toilets, Harajuku, a rented family and Conan Town
Conan O’Brien asks Hideo Kojima for a job, sings Live Band Karaoke, and says sayonara to Japan
Tokyo Station’s ultra-rare cakes look, and taste, like a cup of coffee
Secret tourist stop in Japan has a lift car that whisks you away to a mystery mountain destination
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Bear attack shelters going on sale in Japan as country experiences record-high number of incidents
Shocking discovery: Japan’s expensive Shine Muscat grapes can pair amazingly with cheap Pringles
Japan’s plus-sized idol singer group releases new video about the joys of eating【Video】
Studio Ghibli unveils new fluffy purses from films like My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away
Seven Airbnb rentals that are perfect for couples, families, and friends vacationing in Japan this summer
Totoro, Catbus sleeping bags are perfect place to stay cozy all winter…if you fit inside【Pics】
Entry to Tokyo’s Pokémon theme park zone has physical fitness requirement, will cost a lot
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Ghibli Museum clock is now yours to take home with you
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Conan O’Brien sits down for a traditional kaiseki meal with Jordan Schlansky in Japan 【Video】
Conan O’Brien arrives in Japan, dresses up as a Harajuku girl in Tokyo 【Pics & Videos】
Conan O’Brien lays out his case that anime’s Detective Conan is just a copy of him【Video】
What happened when Conan O’Brien visited the Toto Japanese toilet showroom in Tokyo 【Video】
Conan O’Brien turns into a goldfish for a surprise Korean drama cameo
Hideo Kojima gives Conan O’Brien a job in Death Stranding in Japan【Video】
Conan O’Brien is taking South Korea by storm all thanks to some Korean snacks【Videos】
Case Closed: Detective Conan passenger trains in Tottori are about to get a fresh new look
Leave a Reply