Some of the reasons Japan loves vending machines have nothing to do with an aging society of love of robots.
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 336)
Apparently it’s not just Japanese idol singers themselves who can cause a scandal by being chummy with the group’s fans.
Non-porcine traffic forced to use the slow lane.
Just in time for summer vacation, the Japanese P.E. uniform gets transformed into something for grown-ups.
First glimpse of theme park’s Nintendo World expansion looks as awesome as we’d hoped.
There’s plenty of skin on display, but not from where most people were expecting.
After decades of rumors of a Hollywood movie version of the anime classic, there are now plans to bring the space cowboys to TV instead.
Franchise makes it first appearance on Nintendo’s newest system, and also offers a return trip to the Alola region on 3DS.
Illustrator spreads the word about a happiness that comes from choosing not to get married or have kids.
Instead of eating the eggs, owner parlays annual circle-of-life phenomenon into expansion of his social circle.
Seeks to solve a big problem unique to big-chested women in Japan.
Stores hold drawings to randomly award customers the right to buy coveted video game system.
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McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Kyoto’s 100 Demons yokai monster parade returns!
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
Dodge the biggest problem of giving yourself a kanji name with these for-foreigner personal seals
A visit to the best UFO catcher arcade in the universe!
Weekly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo- More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
- Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】- All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Monthly
- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
Yearly
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely- McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
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Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Super Nintendo World expansion gets delayed for several months at Universal Studios Japan
Dodge the biggest problem of giving yourself a kanji name with these for-foreigner personal seals
A visit to the best UFO catcher arcade in the universe!
10 awesome ice creams available from convenience stores in Japan
Sip on Starbucks at this secret lounge high above Tokyo
Swords of famous samurai reborn as beautiful kitchen knives from Japan’s number-one katana town
Häagen-Dazs Japan gives us another Crispy Sandwich flavor to swoon over: roasted green tea
Osaka’s creepy cute mascot speaks for first time, adds more fuel the creepy OR cute debate【Video】
Häagen-Dazs brings back its popular mochi ice cream line with two classic, luxurious flavors
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
Upskirt photos lead Japanese high school to redesign cheerleader uniforms
Father and son dissect a gachapon capsule toy machine to show us its magical insides【Video】
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