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 304)
A massive photo safari of the treasure trove of amazing stuff waiting at Nintendo’s brand-new Shibuya destination store!
We send Dragon Ball’s anime prince to listen to important businessmen talk about important business stuff.
Ema supporting ongoing Hong Kong protests have been crossed out, snapped into pieces, and written over in Chinese.
Inuyasha vs. Ranma vs. Lum vs…..a whole lot more of the most popular anime and manga stars from the past 40 years.
Both male and female Pikachus, plus six other Pokémon species, will stick to your walls and your heart.
Almost all drink makers caution against it, but one says it’s safe as long as you follow some special rules.
Only a few weeks left to visit the idol singer eatery, plus possibly one more Akihabara landmark.
New shop within walking distance from Scramble Intersection also has giant Mewtwo in research tube greeting guests.
Gift shop kimono are almost nothing like the real thing, but can Mr. Sato’s fashion aura transcend national boundaries?
Intentional or not, there’s no way to see this park in one of Japan’s largest cities and not think of Pikachu throwing down.
Slurping is the norm in a Japanese noodle house, but is it OK to bite off your ramen if it’s more than you can chew?
MOST POPULAR
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
Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]
Kumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims
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
Sanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]
Kumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims
JR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
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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