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 23)
If you’ve got a frying pan and some aluminum foil, this kurukuru chashu recipe is ready to revolutionize your home cooking.
![Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/sy-1.jpg?w=640 "Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]")
Likely wanderer from Nara Park won’t be going back, but has a new place to live in a hot spring town.
![Sailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/sm-1.jpg?w=640 "Sailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]")
Celestial themed anime plushie is in the room monitoring the real-world mission to the moon.
![Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/np-2.jpg?w=640 "Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]")
Family Mart’s celebration of the Nintendo series continues with fuzzy, useful, and, most importantly, cute merch.
Even the massively popular coffee chain itself wasn’t expecting such a positive response, prompting temporary closure less than half a year after opening.
This Whisper of the Heart couple can finally have the happy ending they never got in the anime.
No meet-and-greets or Pokémon Card Game classrooms will be taking place for at least one month.
![Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/kh-1.jpg?w=640 "Japan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]")
![Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/gc-1-1.jpg?w=640 "Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]")
There’s likely a meaning between the choice of Ghibli anime’s artwork to give the visiting politician.
![Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/sw-15.jpg?w=640 "Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]")
Mr. Sato starts his urban exploration of Tokyo to catch a glimpse of local neighborhoods’ pasts before they’re changed forever.
![Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over into Japanese convenience store cosmetics line[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/ac-9.jpg?w=640 "Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over into Japanese convenience store cosmetics line[Photos]")
Family Mart convenience stores are looking a little more like an Animal Crossing village these days.
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Studio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
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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
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]
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Hatsune Miku/Hokusai exhibition in Tokyo lets you make your own Miku woodblock print
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Naked illuminates Kyoto’s cultural traditions in Nijo Castle’s latest digital art spectacular
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
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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