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 367)
Two enchanting newcomers just showed up at Starbucks, and we’re here to let you know which is right for you.
The country’s symbol of spring is being spotted in mid-autumn, so we held a one-man sakura party to celebrate!
When you’re leaving the office before your coworkers, you don’t tell them “Sayonara,” you tell them “I’m being rude.”
English-language video sparks tweet in which she worries about pressure to “kill the person I am.”
A visit to the mushroom kingdom to see if 600,000 fans could possibly be wrong, and also to eat some amazing ramen.
New treats are exclusive to Japanese convenience stores and a compelling reason to keep eating frozen desserts even as the weather gets colder.
New merchandise proves it’s impossible for the beloved Pocket Monster icon to not look cute.
Investor expresses admiration for two of anime’s most iconic directors, has fans wondering if he’ll take inspiration from Evangelion or Gundam.
And even if the owner won’t budge on the rent, you can still negotiate for some concessions that could save you a ton of cash.
As usual, ice cream is the answer to our problems.
In a country that always appreciates a nice chest, this sexy beast is the latest Internet star.
We’ve been fans of this cheese tart specialist’s sweets for years, and now we’ve got a whole new way to enjoy them.
No other travel document opens as many doors around the world as Japan’s passport just edges the number-tow nation.
A rare case where it’s not Cinderella’s feet that everyone’s eyes are on.
MOST POPULAR
Today
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
Tokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Domino’s puts a new spin on moon viewing with Tsukimi dango-inspired tarts in Japan
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
Weekly
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen- Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
- Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Monthly
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama- 7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat- Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
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】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Domino’s puts a new spin on moon viewing with Tsukimi dango-inspired tarts in Japan
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Amid foreign sex tourist rise, Japanese government considering outlawing paying for prostitution
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
Dragon Ball Z theme park, financed by Saudi Arabia, to be built in France
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Starbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
-
