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 332)
This superfan will never be short of reading material.
The Hello Kitty/Gundam crossover seems to have no interest in toning down the violence of a mecha war in space.
Local merchants, and their noses, are offended by the months-long string of piles of vandalism in Japan’s otaku mecca.
Gentle giant Pokémon is helping prefecture damaged in Tohoku earthquake and tsunami recover.
Says being unable to sleep is “a matter of course” and “people who can easily forgive themselves don’t do very good work.”
Rise and shine for this spread of delicious regional specialties and locally grown vegetables that’s offered to hotel guests and non-guests alike.
Just because Kyoto is always a popular place to visit doesn’t mean it always has to be expensive.
Mom has no fear, plenty of rhythm.
After being away from the spotlight for a few years, the busty star wants to regain her physique.
Both original version and upcoming remake are featured in musical salute to the definitive CD-based RPG video game.
It took years for the Internet to notice our video, but now it’s a global hit, especially in one unexpected country.
Japan’s boba obsession heads into the world of ramen, but is it worth eating? We find out.
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Beautiful Studio Ghibli coin/card cases recreate scenes and props from anime classics [Photos]
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Converse Japan and one of Japan’s greatest painters combine for fine fowl shoes [Photos]
Japan restarts at-home collection agent visits for public TV fees
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Weekly
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
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Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
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Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
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Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
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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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Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
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Pikachu plushie actually goes into space as part of Pokémon/European Space Agency collaboration
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New Cardcaptor Sakura fashion line delivers magical girl style for real-world ladies
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Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword gets real-world practicality as a giant towel [Photos]
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
Fukushima’s popular dialect T-shirt vending machine gets its first sibling in Iwaki
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
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