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 32)
Activity kits turn tables into the Sinnoh Underground and adult Pokémon fans into happy little kids again.
Ghibli Park gives you a chance to experience a traditional Japanese summer festival and to take home multiple Ponyos if you’ve got the right skills.
Grab your umbrellas and get ready to see the silver/blue/purple/pink lining to Japan’s rainy season.
Bargains are getting harder to find, but this Fukuoka hotel still feels (and tastes) like a good deal.
Crazy-big “Bam!” Hunk of Meat Curry returns to Japan’s favorite curry rice chain, price still rising
Ordinarily Japan can’t get enough Cocoichi, but some are saying enough is enough with the price hikes.
Black Thunder chocolate goes into every can, but does that mean this brew comes out tasty?
Getting arrested in Japan is never a good idea, but it’s about to become even more inadvisable for foreigners.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Crazy-cheap Tokyo lunch: All-you-can-eat curry rice for 220 yen (US$1.40)!
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
New service lets you turn manga pages into T-shirt designs, over 200 titles to choose from
Cute coffins now available at Tokyo’s coffin relaxation salon[Photos]
We tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]
Turns out you can draw all four original starter Pokémon with just three colored pencils【Video】
Weekly
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed- Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]- The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Monthly
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido- Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
- Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
- Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima- Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
New service lets you turn manga pages into T-shirt designs, over 200 titles to choose from
Cute coffins now available at Tokyo’s coffin relaxation salon[Photos]
We tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]
Turns out you can draw all four original starter Pokémon with just three colored pencils【Video】
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by cherry blossoms in the sun
Here’s what happens when you mix 75 types of Japanese instant curry together【SoraKitchen】
In the kitchen with Kiki – We whip up some Ghibli-inspired rice porridge
Make miniatures of your miniatures with this kit from Mozu
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Women, money and time: Behind the scenes with Japan’s “King of Hosts”
Piko Taro reveals how much money he’s made from PPAP: as much as he did in the past 25 years
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