Pokémon franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary with a partnership with the Spanish luxury ceramics craftsmen.
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 14)
Shinjuku Ward Office has a restaurant that’s open to anyone, but have they kept up their quality and value since our last visit?
Ghibli-themed sweets shop puts together a cherry blossom viewing party for a pair of Totoros.
“People don’t forget to take their testicles with them when they go home” says sauna in explaining new policy.
Agency for Cultural Affairs wants two-tiered ticket pricing system at 12 National Museums.
![Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/db-3.jpg?w=640 "Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]")
Marugame Seimen branch in downtown Tokyo transforms into an anime eatery with awesome artwork inside and out.
Updated forecast says a burst of warm weather, with more sun to come, will be speeding up cherry blossom buds’ development.
![Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/22.jpg?w=640 "Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]")
Aspiring pirate kings share hugs with each other and a bit of Japanese culture with the world.
After keeping secret for nearly 30 years, Eiichiro Oda has written it down on a paper, put that paper in a chest, and tossed it into the sea, where it remains even now.
Higher rates now in effect, projected to bring in more than 7 billion yen in extra revenue.
No trip to Tokyo’s other otaku neighborhood is complete without a visit to this local landmark.
![Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/sb-100.jpg?w=640 "Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]")
Things got off to a good start on our crazy-cheap trip to the land of the gods, but with funds running low, will we have a roof over our heads on a snowy night?
![Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/sb-0.jpg?w=640 "Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]")
Can we make it from the capital to the land of the gods, sightsee, eat, find a hotel, and make it home for just 30,000 yen (US$195)?
Latest proof that Studio Ghibli anime has become prestige international cinema arrives this spring.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
Weekly
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
- Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls- Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Monthly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]- Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Yearly
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
7-Eleven Japan debuts new black-and-white rice ball packaging…but is it because of a naphtha shortage?
Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
That time when we fowled out while fighting our feathered friends
Family Mart’s new Gyoza Dog proves Japanese convenience store food hits different
Studio Ghibli turns anime characters into “Friendly Bags” for merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo has a cafe that prohibits talking inside, and here’s why it’s awesome
Japan’s Pikachu and Eevee Pokémon mailboxes to be removed at end of month
Sizzling on a hot plate?! American sushi rolls break all the rules at this Japanese restaurant
These rare eggs cost more than a typical meal in Japan but are they really that special?
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