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 30)
Studio that made Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop convinces Shinichiro Watanabe to work with them again.
![Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/1_f60d2d.jpg?w=640 "Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]")
Dashimaki tamago in three minutes sounds awesome, but if it tastes bad, it won’t be worth even 100 yen.
![Exclusive Super Mario Yoshi figure to be given away at Dodgers Stadium [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/yd-2.jpg?w=640 "Exclusive Super Mario Yoshi figure to be given away at Dodgers Stadium [Video]")
Yokohama ramen continues to bring differently delicious tastes together with ie-kei pizza.
Pokémon franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary with a partnership with the Spanish luxury ceramics craftsmen.
Shinjuku Ward Office has a restaurant that’s open to anyone, but have they kept up their quality and value since our last visit?
Ghibli-themed sweets shop puts together a cherry blossom viewing party for a pair of Totoros.
“People don’t forget to take their testicles with them when they go home” says sauna in explaining new policy.
Agency for Cultural Affairs wants two-tiered ticket pricing system at 12 National Museums.
![Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/db-3.jpg?w=640 "Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]")
Marugame Seimen branch in downtown Tokyo transforms into an anime eatery with awesome artwork inside and out.
Updated forecast says a burst of warm weather, with more sun to come, will be speeding up cherry blossom buds’ development.
![Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/22.jpg?w=640 "Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]")
Aspiring pirate kings share hugs with each other and a bit of Japanese culture with the world.
After keeping secret for nearly 30 years, Eiichiro Oda has written it down on a paper, put that paper in a chest, and tossed it into the sea, where it remains even now.
Higher rates now in effect, projected to bring in more than 7 billion yen in extra revenue.
No trip to Tokyo’s other otaku neighborhood is complete without a visit to this local landmark.
![Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/sb-100.jpg?w=640 "Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]")
Things got off to a good start on our crazy-cheap trip to the land of the gods, but with funds running low, will we have a roof over our heads on a snowy night?
MOST POPULAR
Today
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Weekly
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan- American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
New Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]- Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody- Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Giant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]- What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship- Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
High-speed Japanese festival cart crashes cause two deaths on same day, ignite debate over tradition
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Bilingual illustrated ninja guide stealthily drops courtesy of a top ninja researcher in Japan
Town in Kanagawa struggling with violent gang of monkeys
Japan’s newest anime figure crane game prize may also be the world’s weirdest hanger [Photos]
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