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
![Nintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/1_23ead9.jpg?w=640 "Nintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]")
![Final Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/6_f00354.jpg?w=640 "Final Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]")
Seventh Heaven arrives in Roppongi with a twist on its name and another for its cocktails.
With 1,100 yen to buy gifts for Mom, but no other directions, what will they come out with?
Consumers showing little sympathy for rice sellers as eating habits and supply chains change.
![Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/lt-1.jpg?w=640 "Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]")
We love Japan’s favorite donut chain as much as the next foodie, but you’ve got to eat a lot to get your money’s worth.
Annual survey finds cases of 90-year-old parents caring for socially reclusive children in their 60s.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Woman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
Final Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]
We turn to a shady Amazon Japan gadget to try to stop Tokyo crows from stealing our hangers
Squeezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Weekly
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Monthly
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo- The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open- Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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We turn to a shady Amazon Japan gadget to try to stop Tokyo crows from stealing our hangers
Squeezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Holy Fungus Mud Volleyball is Japan’s most filthily beautifying bacteria event of the summer!
Zunda Shake vending machine lets you taste samurai culture in milkshake form
Does the Fukuryumon Chinese restaurant in Koenji offer the best lunch deal in Tokyo?
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
We sent two Japanese elementary school kids on a Mother’s Day shopping mission at a 100 yen store
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
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