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 251)
Sexy science experiment tests one of Japan’s most persistent pieces of folk wisdom.
When you send Mr. Sato out to do the shopping, sometimes he comes back with something crazy.
A sneak peek at the hottest thing to come out of Japan this winter!
”By the way…,” says Hajime Isayama before slipping in a twist as surprising as any in his giant-slaying manga/anime.
500-restaurant chain closes all branches to give employees’ time to spend with families at New Year’s.
Fans get out their zoom lenses as Enako’s outdoor photo session salutes one of anime’s most beloved magical girls.
Broken Gundam and broken trust sparks Internet debate about whether or not her actions were justified.
Gamer father showed his power, but the Japanese Internet thinks he might not have displayed much wisdom.
The year in review for Starbucks’ blended ice dessert drinks is a delicious trip down memory lane.
Pair of visitors get called “jerks” online, but we’d have picked a harsher label.
A belated Christmas present from Japan’s idols and models.
Celebrate the completion of your quest to find your true love with a real-world version of the video game’s Ceremony of Eternal Bonding.
You’re not seeing double! The Sanrio icon really does have a twin sibling, though she’s very different from her world-famous sister.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Randomly running into a great sushi lunch like this is one of the best things about eating in Tokyo
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hamburg and Hamburg Shibuya: A Japanese restaurant you need to put on your Tokyo itinerary
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
New Japanese mascot character: A train station monster that grabs children who don’t mind the gap
Weekly
- Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
New Studio Ghibli bedding sets are cool in all senses of the word
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things- Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
New Pokémon cakes let you eat your way through Pikachu and all the Eevee evolutions- There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
Hanton rice — a delicious regional food even most Japanese people don’t know about, but more should
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Dragon Quest pet product line announced by Square Enix
Monthly
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train- Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
Toyota built a life-sized Miraidon Pokémon and are letting people test drive it this weekend
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Kyushu-exclusive Black Mont Blanc goes nationwide in a “Special” way
Hamburg and Hamburg Shibuya: A Japanese restaurant you need to put on your Tokyo itinerary
We go looking for the free kaoyu hot spring facebath of onsen town Kusatsu【Photos】
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
New Japanese mascot character: A train station monster that grabs children who don’t mind the gap
Tokyo Station’s perfect breakfast spot might just be this izakaya Japanese-style pub
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Japanese restaurant chain causes a stir with foreigners online, but is it any good?
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
Japanese website ranks the top 10 most delicious-looking Pokémon… with a very unexpected #1
Live-action Hunter x Hunter stage play is first in almost 20 years, reveals in-costume cast【Vid】
Should you put your kid on a leash? Japanese mothers weigh in
Studio Ghibli bath mats and towels will help wash your worries away
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