One topic dominated conversations in Japan this year, and now it’s officially the most significant single kanji character of the past 12 months.
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 301)
Do you know the name of the Pokémon anime’s main character? Congratulations! Here’s a thousand dollars!
Fire up your city pop playlist for a visit to Asakusa’s legendary Marubell, where the ’80s never totally went away.
Official Kirby Cafe merchandise turns out to be startlingly, and adorably, good at recreating the Nintendo star’s in-game power.
Sure, we suppose you could make money by treating your Pocket Monsters like this, but it’d make you the real monster.
”Do we want ramen or fried food?” we asked ourselves, and the answer was “Both, obviously.”
Reeast Room is “a theme park where you can do things that you’re normally not allowed to.”
Production committee for Fragtime, studio’s most recent anime that’s playing in theaters right now, say their repeated attempts to communicate have yielded no response.
Last remaining member of original group of 20 founding idols announces graduation, says she “still loves AKB48.”
One of Japan’s best katana-collection museums recreates its swords in miniature form for you to cut up your desserts with.
Tear-jerking reports from multiple artists as studio, which produced a theatrical anime this year, erases its online presence.
Sounds can be deceiving as Ryu battles E. Honda in a fight that’s half laughable, half legitimately amazing.
The most hated forced social activity of the year in Japan could be changed to make everyone happier, Twitter user says.
Will our UFO-chasing reporter finally get the answers he’s been looking for since the alien encounter he says he had in high school?
The ramen croquette is here to satisfy all our guilty pleasure hunger food cravings at once.
OK kids, did you remember to finish your homework, brush your teeth, and smash every pot in the village?
Mickey, Minnie, Pooh, and even Baymax turn into traditional symbols of good luck and the Chinese Zodiac to help ring in 2020.
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Today
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Okayama man arrested for catching butterflies in central Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new coffee drinks… for people who don’t drink coffee
Katana of one of Japan’s most famous swordsmen goes on display to help Kumamoto earthquake victims
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
Kumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims
Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]
Weekly
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move- Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
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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Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Foreign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
Kumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims
Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]
JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Official Final Fantasy beers are going on sale in Tokyo this month, giant Aetheryte appearing too
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]
Maximum entry fee for sento public baths in Tokyo increases slightly for adults next month
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
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