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 20)
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Photo shows Family Mart chocolate donut looking nothing like its packaging, but was that by design?
Reversal of policy for new Chara Cosme releases follows survey showing immense dislike for randomized merch purchases.
![Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/et-1.jpg?w=640 "Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]")
Matsuya makes the step from beefy bowls to milky drinks, but only at select locations for now.
![Police in Japan summoned to deal with bank intruder…who is also a deer[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/db-1.jpg?w=640 "Police in Japan summoned to deal with bank intruder…who is also a deer[Video]")
Local residents thought a robbery was in progress when they saw police cars outside the bank, but something even more unexpected was going on.
Advance tickets for the latest Studio Ghibli screen-to-stage anime adaptation show up earlier than expected.
As new shipment of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion packs comes in, Bic Camera makes a new rule.
Family Mart’s Pokémon Pokopia dessert drinks are supposed to be mixed in-store, but there’s an alternative.
![Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/sr-1-1.jpg?w=640 "Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]")
After Hello Kitty goes home for the day, some decidedly less cute characters will be taking over Sanrio Puroland.
![Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/sc-2.jpg?w=640 "Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]")
![What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/ig-1.jpg?w=640 "What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]")
Both sides of the Pacific are getting new themed cafes with attached merch shops from the video game developer of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
![Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/hk-1-1.jpg?w=640 "Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]")
![Japanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/hl-9.jpg?w=640 "Japanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]")
As onigiri prices continue to rise everywhere else, Lawson Store 100 stays true to its name.
We pit the convenience store challenger against Tokyo’s favorite maker of Japan’s beloved octopus dumplings.
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
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
Only two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
Gang of angry monkeys surrounds and attacks Japanese man in hot spring town
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]
Weekly
- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain
Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
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
Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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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Gang of angry monkeys surrounds and attacks Japanese man in hot spring town
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
Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
Everything old is new, and cool, again at this hotel in Japan’s hot spring town comeback king
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