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 28)
Kuromi and the Seven Princesses of Tango want to take you deeper into Kyoto Prefecture than just Kyoto City.
The anime stars of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and more say it’s not too soon to start thinking about 2026.
Ironically, this really doesn’t seem like the best way for civic leaders to be using their time.
There’s more than one reason why Grave of the Fireflies merch doesn’t pop up very often, but this new T-shirt collection is a bittersweet exception.
One Piece Card Game Happy Meals hadn’t even been formally announced yet, were supposed to debut in less than 10 days.
If you’re picking up one of Uniqlo’s new Pokémon Trading Card T-shirts, you’re going to want to hold onto the tag.
We’d love the Cooling Matcha Mousse Tea at any time of year, but debuting in the middle of an intense heat wave makes it all the more satisfying.
Otaku from across the nation pack the halls of Tokyo Big Sight for Japan’s biggest independent manga/anime art festival.
Chilling terror mixes with warm nostalgia as the Hiesan Haunted House rises from its figurative grave.
Peach John’s Master’s Bra design draws inspiration from an official national treasure of Japan.
Believe it or not, there’s a very logical reason that one of Japan’s most famous car companies has gotten into the curry game.
NAFCA text covers the skills, both in drawing and speaking Japanese, that you’ll need to start an anime artist career in Japan.
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Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
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Final Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]
Animal Crossing plushie pouch towels and cozy socks show up at Family Mart convenience stores
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pokémon Centers across Japan cancel April events after stabbing in Tokyo
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Weekly
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Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
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Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
Monthly
- 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
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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
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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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Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pokémon Centers across Japan cancel April events after stabbing in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]
Sailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]
Japan named most sleep-deprived country for fourth year in a row, according to survey
Huge life-size Eevee Eeveelution Pokémon plushies will steal hearts, conquer living rooms【Photos】
Perfectly recreated 1960s Japanese apartment lets museum visitors go back to mid-Showa era【Pics】
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Licca-chan dolls released in North America for first time in nearly 60 years
Japanese masturbatory aid and insect repellent companies collab on a new product
The beautiful official cosplayers of Summer Comiket 2025【Photos】
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
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