The man behind the Internet’s giant Starbucks mug meme drinks from a jumbo mug inside a jumbo mug.
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 314)
A glut of GIFs chronicle our reporter’s journey as he makes himself look weird in an effort to also make himself look handsome.
Keep your saliva in your mouth, not on things other people are going to touch, taxi company says.
Workers begin gutting interior of Fushimi anime studio in preparation of tearing down its frame.
Japanese artist explains why turning your ashes into a pencil is a better choice than turning them into a diamond.
Major publisher’s promotion of Musume no Tomodachi has some saying the company is encouraging an illegal relationship with a minor.
Becomes first major restaurant chain in Japan to provide cooked food to “children’s cafeteria” facilities.
An extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-large order.
Farmer didn’t bother to lock the door to his storehouse, because who steals sweet potatoes?
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.
MOST POPULAR
Today
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Weekly
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?- Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
- Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
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
- Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
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
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
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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?
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?
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
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
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Shiga woman defrauded 4.4M yen by man asking for money to fly down from the ISS and marry her
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
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