Skip the Shinkansen and savor the journey with Japan’s ultra-affordable unlimited-use one-day rail passes.
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 361)
Ministry of Justice proposal aims to let foreign students stay in Japan after they finish school and work their way up the professional ladder.
Enako’s popularity, and profits, continue to grow as fans form their longest line ever to buy her photo albums.
Got some leftover change after a day of pop culture treasure-hunting? Then this JR station has a vending machine you’ll want to check out.
Rice is part of almost every traditional Japanese meal, but should the rest of the meal be part of the rice?
Yeah, yeah, people say Japanese is a hard language to learn. But Beni shows that even a humble pooch can pick up some vocabulary.
Three different panty designs that are as stylish as they are functional.
Town ranks in last place for second survey in a row, but there actually are some things to love about the place.
Shadowy ghost and poison-types get their moment in the sun, and of course there’s a new Pikachu item too!
Best-of-both-worlds beverage has more caffeine and fewer calories than the classic soda’s ordinary version.
Being prepared for an idol concert means you’re also surprisingly prepared for a typhoon-induced power outage.
There’s no need to pay to use payphones to let your family know you’re OK or tell response teams that you need help.
”Don’t watch this if you don’t want to have your dreams shattered,” warns one fan, but others have a very different response.
MOST POPULAR
Today
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
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Japan’s cafe that won’t let you go home until you solve a puzzle is opening in Osaka’s canal district
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
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Weekly
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]- Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
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Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Monthly
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before- Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
- Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
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Yearly
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
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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Official Spirited Away cookbook teaches how to make food from the Ghibli anime classic
Beautiful Ghibli anime uchiwa fans are like little posters you can use to keep yourself cool
Gigantic gacha machine appears in Tokyo department store for capsule toy celebration
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