Some people say Pokémon is an RPG, but maybe it’s really a horror game.
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 328)
Actor Shichinosuke Nakamura to portray warrior princess in story arcs Studio Ghibli anime-only fans have never seen.
In a country famous for its manners and famous for its trains, of course there are plenty of train manners to keep in mind.
Blue is Sega’s image color the world over, but fans in different parts of the world see different things.
Branches in Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Akihabara are ready with an appealing, healthy alternative to a bowl of cereal.
Kyoto Animation lawyer expresses unhappiness that many victims’ families did not agree with announcement.
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name follow-up is only the second Japanese animated film ever to get the nod.
Videos show dozens-strong assembly in middle of downtown shopping district.
Virtual Snack provides real drinks and real conversation from charismatic bartenders who don’t really exist.
Some see it as backwards or upside-down, but others remember it as the AC grip.
SoraNews24’s resident soba expert finds out what happens when an American coffeehouse whips up some Japanese buckwheat noodles in Hong Kong.
Mutton dish is commonly known by name of Mongolian historical figure instead of its original name.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
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- Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
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
- Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan- Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its 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?
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
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Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
Shiga woman defrauded 4.4M yen by man asking for money to fly down from the ISS and marry her
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
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
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
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