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

Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch

Following suspiciously swift sell-out of Yoshinoya’s Dragon Quest Slime bowls, new policy means that everyone who wants one can buy one at the regular price.

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7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]

Vietnam’s star sandwich reaches a new milestone on the road to mainstream popularity in Japan.

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New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail

If you’re looking to start your Mt. Fuji hike as early as possible without having to spend the night, here’s how.

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Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]

Nintendo’s big-appetite video game star is ready to get summer started.

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Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism

There’s actually a good reason for a train to quickly get people between the Tokyo area’s two airports.

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A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”

Nicknack is the culmination of layers upon layers of branding quasi-copying, and also home to some very unusual Pikachus.

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The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]

Dragon Quest Slimes appear at Yoshinoya, and the restaurant is trying to make sure they go home with actual fans.

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Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!

Studio Ghibli pseudo-literature isn’t for reading, but is still something fans will want on their shelf.

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KFC Japan creates spicy summer fried chicken chips together with Calbee

Red-hot KFC chicken chips are on the way, and green-hot ones too.

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Sanrio’s new McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals give the spotlight all to Cinnamoroll[Photos]

One of Sanrio’s top dogs is headed to McDonald’s Japan with some very cute stuff.

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Japan has a new maid school, and it’s now accepting applicants for its first term

Butler Association Japan wants to provide training in legitimate maid skills, but says they can be applied to other professional fields as well.

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Foreign resident of Japan arrested after spraying bear repellant inside post office

Claims it was an accident, police not so sure.

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Giant sleeping Snorlax coming to Yokohama as part of Pokémon Sleep Sleeping Faces fan event

A Pokémon event to get both excited and sleepy about.

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Studio Ghibli film towels with English dialogue lines are cinematically cool and cute[Photos]

Beautiful soft cloth versions of iconic Ghibli scenes warm the heart and inspire the spirit.

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Sanrio collaborates with Sesame Street for adorable merch and sweets in Japan[Photos]

Looks like someone told Hello Kitty and friends how to get (how to get) to Sesame Street.

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Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country

As of July, it now costs more both to enter and leave Japan.

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Japan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon

Mister Donut saw all the Mocchurin that it had made, and they were very good…too good, in fact.

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Japan’s Pokémon mailboxes saved from removal with last-minute extension on final day

Pikachu, Eevee, and Piplup get new leases on life in Yokohama, and it’s thanks to fans.

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Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video]

Neko also has a three-minute purr mode for relaxing to.

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Live-action Persona adaptation to be produced by Netflix, probably not set in Japan

Has enough of Persona’s identity been retained to keep fans happy?

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