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 19)
![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
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
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Studio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
Gang of angry monkeys surrounds and attacks Japanese man in hot spring town
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Weekly
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Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
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Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
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7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
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Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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Only two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
Starbucks Japan unveils Mitsuimo Milk, a new drink that celebrates the taste of autumn
JAL first class cakes can be bought for a bargain, but are they as bougie as they seem?
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
Fox spotted in Tokyo’s 23 wards, Japanese Internet wonders if it’s a shapeshifting spirit [Video]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Hatsune Miku/Hokusai exhibition in Tokyo lets you make your own Miku woodblock print
Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
Naked illuminates Kyoto’s cultural traditions in Nijo Castle’s latest digital art spectacular
Starbucks Corporation is planning to sell off Starbucks Japan, report says
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain
Everything old is new, and cool, again at this hotel in Japan’s hot spring town comeback king
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