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 34)
The return of the sakura and the arrival of sakura beer are both annual events, but their timing doesn’t have to match.
Local residents’ complaints about bad-mannered tourists prompt pledges from mayor to consider tighten regulations.
While you’re rushing between Tokyo and Kyoto, don’t forget to take some time to stop and sip the tea.
Three robbery attempts, all connected to Hong Kong currency exchange, take place within 14 hours of each other.
Statistics show overall situation is improving, but some at-risk individuals need more help than ever.
After 15 years of needing a doctor’s permission, women and teens in Japan can now buy emergency contraceptives over the counter, but still with some strings attached.
Starbucks is getting into Godiva territory with the price of its newest chocolate dessert drink, but is the quality there?
Forecast shows you might need to move your cherry blossom plans in Japan up by a few days.
Characters and creatures from the anime masterpiece step into the world of Japan’s traditional card game.
We get on rental bikes in the heart of Japan’s biggest city and ride until we run out of daylight.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Japan has too many criminals and earthquakes to be safe for Chinese people.
Tenshoku Sodan Bar seeks to fill a need that’s not served by the traditional job-hunting process.
Commitment to physical media apparently stronger than concern for consent for the women shown in videos.
MOST POPULAR
Today
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Weekly
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan- American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
New Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]- Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody- 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]
Giant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
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- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
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
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
High-speed Japanese festival cart crashes cause two deaths on same day, ignite debate over tradition
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Town in Kanagawa struggling with violent gang of monkeys
Bilingual illustrated ninja guide stealthily drops courtesy of a top ninja researcher in Japan
Japan’s newest anime figure crane game prize may also be the world’s weirdest hanger [Photos]
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