No trip to Tokyo’s other otaku neighborhood is complete without a visit to this local landmark.
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 31)
![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?
![Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/sb-0.jpg?w=640 "Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]")
Can we make it from the capital to the land of the gods, sightsee, eat, find a hotel, and make it home for just 30,000 yen (US$195)?
Latest proof that Studio Ghibli anime has become prestige international cinema arrives this spring.
Tokyo’s 242.9-meter (797-foot) city hall will be lit up with Pokémon cards starting this spring.
![Adorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/ta-0.jpg?w=640 "Adorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]")
Street food hot spot wants to be cleaner, but it might just be pushing the smoke down the street.
30th anniversary celebration looks to link Heisei and Reiwa eras with shared love for purikura.
Osaka Municipal Water Bureau suddenly becomes quite a bit closer to being flush with funds.
Ecological goals and economic concerns mean no more free bags and more by-location price variations.
What’s creamy on the outside, jiggly on the inside, and pink and delicious all over? This new sakura dessert drink.
One country is clearly the cause, but fewer foreign tourists might not put the pressure it expects on Japan.
![Japanese zoo’s monkey bonds with Ikea stuffed orangutang following abandonment by mother[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/im-1.jpg?w=640 "Japanese zoo’s monkey bonds with Ikea stuffed orangutang following abandonment by mother[Video]")
Punch’s life started with a metaphorical gut-punch, but things are cuddlier, and happier, now.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
Weekly
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
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- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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
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]- We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
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
Starbucks Japan releases new Halloween Frappuccino and drinkware, but are they worth buying this year?
-
