
We take a closer look at some hilarious clips from the new Conan in Japan episode.
Three months ago, American late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien surprised everyone when he announced he would be travelling to Japan to pick up a tongue-in-cheek 3 trillion yen from the Mayor of Conan Town.
Located in rural Tottori Prefecture, Conan Town is named after popular Japanese anime character Detective Conan, but O’Brien decided to declare himself as the true inspiration for the name of the town. This became the launchpad for the comedian’s visit back in September, which took him from Tokyo to Tottori as part of an upcoming Conan Without Borders episode called Conan In Japan.
While we were lucky enough to view some behind-the-scenes footage during his visit, we couldn’t wait to see what the Japan special would look like after many long hours of footage had been cut and condensed into a one-hour episode. It’s been a long time coming, but the wait is finally over, as the Conan in Japan special finally aired in the U.S. last night, so let’s get right to it and take a look at some of the clips from the episode!
▼ Conan Rents A Family in Japan.
A rent-a-family might seem like a crazy concept at first, but it’s actually a valuable service that can assist people in a pinch at formal occasions and help people cope with loneliness and grief. Even Conan seems to reap the benefits of having a rental family for a day, as his fake father apologises for past wrongdoings and calls him his “favourite son”.
▼ Conan and Jordan Share a Kaiseki Meal
Associate producer Jordan Schlansky, whom Conan calls the “High Priest of Meaningless Conversation“, is known for his deadpan expressions and know-it-all attitude. At one point in the meal, Jordan remarks that the waitress assumes he “is the one in power”, but the real reason for this is because he’s sitting in the kamiza position furthest away from the door, which is reserved for the highest-ranking member of the party.
Other highlights from the clip include Conan mistakenly saying “Iowa” instead of “Ohio“, when he tries to say “Ohayo“, the Japanese word for “good morning”, and Conan crushing Jordan’s love for the Karate Kid with a jarring message from Ralph Macchio.
▼ Conan Visits Conan Town in Japan
Conan Town was the whole reason for Conan’s Japan trip, and the episode culminates with Conan meeting the Mayor–after a hiccup that saw them arriving at the wrong airport–and trying in vain to cash in his fake cheque for 3 trillion yen. In a strange twist, Aussie beef was used in the hamburgers that Mayor Matsumoto demanded as part of the exchange, but regardless of the patty’s origin, burger diplomacy clearly won the day as the two managed to settle their beef with a crowd of fans looking on.
▼ Live Q&A: Conan Without Borders: Japan
Conan and writer Mike Sweeney answer fan questions about the episode and discuss details regarding their trip in this video, uploaded to the Team Coco YouTube channel shortly after the episode aired on TV. Conan’s assistant Sona also makes an appearance, revealing that she was also in Japan at the same time Conan and his crew were there filming, but as she was on her honeymoon she didn’t appear in the episode. However, she did something that Conan and his team didn’t get to do, which was enjoy an all-day sumo tournament.
While these four clips can be viewed on the official Team Coco YouTube account, there are plenty more due to be uploaded soon. If you can’t wait to see the other clips, then head on over to their official website where you can take a look at what happened when they visited the Toto toilet showroom, Harajuku, and a Japanese etiquette class.
The only that’s missing from their official site and social media channels is footage from their top-secret visit to Hideo Kojima’s office, which has us hoping there’s a world-exclusive Clueless Gamer segment coming our way soon.
Source: YouTube/Team Coco
Featured image: YouTube/Team Coco

What happened when Conan O’Brien visited the Toto Japanese toilet showroom in Tokyo 【Video】
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】
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
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Crazy-cheap Tokyo lunch: All-you-can-eat curry rice for 220 yen (US$1.40)!
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
We tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Headed to the beautiful island under two hours from Tokyo? This sashimi restaurant is the first place you should go
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Japan’s one-person bento box-sized rice cooker can give you freshly cooked rice at the office
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Conan O’Brien arrives in Japan, dresses up as a Harajuku girl in Tokyo 【Pics & Videos】
Mayor of Japan’s Conan Town to Conan O’Brien “If you want the money, come visit”【Video】
Conan O’Brien asks Hideo Kojima for a job, sings Live Band Karaoke, and says sayonara to Japan
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 lays out his case that anime’s Detective Conan is just a copy of him【Video】
Conan O’Brien is taking South Korea by storm all thanks to some Korean snacks【Videos】