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 (Page 12)
Intricately detailed frames let you mix your real life memories with Ghibi’s unforgettable anime settings.
J-horror classic Ring 2 airing on Japanese TV with Zen monk offering prayers every time someone dies
Japan’s most quirkily empathetic monk is back to keep bad mojo away from us as the year ends.
With peak Fuji-viewing season coming up, here are seven spots to add to your Japan travel list.
Two Sanrio stars slip on sumo loincloths to celebrate the first nig sumo tournament of the year.
Kitty-chans representing the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras are waiting inside these sweet treats.
It’s time, once again, to pull out every trick we can think of to try to boost our luck in Japan’s huge end of the year lottery.
Yamada Heiando has been in business for over 100 years, but it’s still got new ideas for its Pokémon crossover line.
Mr. Sato bypasses the high-priced sushi that’s become the neighborhood’s new normal and finds a super-cheap, super-tasty bowl of ramen.
Starbucks Japan closes out the year with luxurious and innovative dessert drinks for the most Japanese holiday season of the year.
There are two main types of okonomiyaki, but people in Hiroshima don’t like one of the names the rest of the country has for theirs.
The “super-thick” ehomaki is a luxurious way to ensure good luck for your home and family in the coming year.
Crane games are big hits with foreign tourists and Japanese kids, so Family Mart is happy to have them come in and play.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils epic Frappuccino hunt with five to find in new Star birthday campaign
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Japan’s mint chocolate season hits Family Mart with 14 new choco mint treats (and five superstars)
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Weekly
- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]- Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Monthly
- Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
- Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
- Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Japan’s mint chocolate season hits Family Mart with 14 new choco mint treats (and five superstars)
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Meet the most unmotivated Sanrio character ever — Gudetama, the lazy egg!
The 23 most wonderful women cosplays at Summer Wonder Festival 2016【Photos】
Uni Donuts are pretty in pink for a limited-time spring sakuramochi flavor
Starbucks Japan adds new Sencha Matcha Tea Frappuccino to its menu, but only at 28 locations
Licca-chan dolls released in North America for first time in nearly 60 years
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Vending machine with in-flight meals becomes a sell-out hit at Haneda Airport in Japan
-
