Casey Baseel
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Casey Baseel spent his formative years staring in frustration at un-subtitled Japanese TV programming shown on Southern California’s international channel. Taking matters into his own hands, he moved to Tokyo to study the language, then found work in Yokohama a decade ago teaching, translating, and marketing hotels he can’t afford to stay in. When not participating in the eternal cycle of exercising to burn the calories form his love of Japanese food, Casey scours used comic and game shops for forgotten classics, drags his wife around the country in a quest to visit all its castles, sings karaoke not nearly as well as he thinks he does, and counts the days until the summertime bars open on Enoshima Beach.
Posted by Casey Baseel
It sounds like the worst Pokémon ever, but it’s actually an important medical breakthrough that will benefit humans.
Annual survey shows nearly a 70-percent increase in two years for number of Japanese women giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day.
Yes, even in 2026 you can still get arrested if you don’t follow a law originally enacted to keep ex-samurai in line.
Shinto shrine in Kyoto has become globally famous for its beauty, but inconsiderate visitors are ruining the view for everyone but themselves.
Feline railway legacy continues with two kitties inaugurated as stationmasters in Wakayama Prefecture.
They couldn’t make it in time for Christmas, but we’re glad these Studio Ghibli stars are here now.
Tokyo’s record-breaking New Year’s Day fish market auction tuna arrives at one of Japan’s favorite casual sushi restaurant chains.
A list of Japan’s three-day weekends plus two vacation periods to dodge if you want to miss the crowds and high prices.
Japan’s young adult foreign national population is soaring while its ethnically Japanese counterpart is shrinking.
Extra-luxurious travel mode returning to Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka bullet train route for first time in over two decades.
Whether you’re looking for a new love or to take an existing one to the next level, the gods are ready to help you at these four Shinto spots.
Civic leaders see economic upsides and cultural difficulties in Japan’s accelerating internationalization.
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Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan’s new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino is like a drinkable opera cake
Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
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10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Monthly
- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Yearly
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
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
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Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
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Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
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Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s 2023 seijinshiki ceremony
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japanese women show continuing decline in how much they expect a husband to earn in survey
Young Japanese men say paying for dates is the hardest part of life as a guy【Survey】
Doraemon anime’s visual & script changes for U.S. TV detailed
More than one in three Japanese working women in survey would rather be housewives
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
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