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.
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 377)
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.
“A little” shanking is requested, but that’s not the only weird thing about the baffling bits of Japanese flavor text.
”It’s like Godzilla is attacking.”
Veteran employee was involved in measuring radiation levels immediately after 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Typhoon makes Kansai International’s runway indistinguishable from the ocean around the island, turns 5.7 million-pound boat into instrument of havoc.
College student sets national karaoke quality record by tricking the machine with the sounds of his horn.
MOST POPULAR
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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 unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
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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
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- Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
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Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
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
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
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
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Pikachu plushie actually goes into space as part of Pokémon/European Space Agency collaboration
New Cardcaptor Sakura fashion line delivers magical girl style for real-world ladies
Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
Bear found on Japanese fishing boat, escapes into the sea
Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
Japanese airport offering 19,250-yen sandwiches as last Japan meal for international travelers
US$9,700 solid-gold Pokémon figure going on sale in Japan, life-size gold-leaf Pikachu appears too
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?
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Here’s why you’ll never want to hit a hole-in-one in Japan
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