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 25)
Totoro-themed bakery whips up new batch of treats inspired by the Studio Ghibli anime classic.
Designed to let foreign goods in while keeping foreign ideas out, this Nagasaki neighborhood is one of the most historically significant places in Japan.
Osaka factory design firm turned to Epic Games for advice on its motivation-boosting system.
Family Mart’s festival of fried foods also includes fried chicken-themed accessories, clothing items, and luggage.
Chocolates, insulated bags, and tumblers featuring stars from Cardcaptor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth, and more.
Nitori wans to provide everything you could need for your home, including your gaming space.
Nagoya’s otaku district has a new center for idols, idol fans, and idol fans who want to feel like an idol.
Sega recreates video from the the 16-bit console wars of the ’90s to promote Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
Reaction to Kitty-chan and friends has been so positive that they’ll be sticking around a little longer at regional airport.
22 teams gather, but only one can walk away with the title of best Kura Sushi chefs in the world.
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Now
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
Does a long line mean a sweeter deal? We compare two sweets from a Hokkaido food fair【Taste test】
Huge life-size Eevee Eeveelution Pokémon plushies will steal hearts, conquer living rooms【Photos】
Photos from 140 years ago show Tokyo’s skyline was amazing long before the Skytree was ever built
What happens when you wear a smile mask on a Japanese train?
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Pandemic hair trend: A haircut to match your mask not your face
Weekly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Monthly
- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
- Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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
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
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
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Photos from 140 years ago show Tokyo’s skyline was amazing long before the Skytree was ever built
What happens when you wear a smile mask on a Japanese train?
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Pandemic hair trend: A haircut to match your mask not your face
Can the powers of the Tokyo area’s literal money-laundering shrine make us rich? We find out
Japanese interior micro-houses and study spaces: Great for work-at-home professionals, kids too
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
Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
Coca-Cola’s new limited-edition Japan travel destination bottles highlight history and culture
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Choshimaru offers a limited-time Explodingly Big Sushi Roll, or basically sushi in sushi armor
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