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 378)
Slim Shady’s inspiration remains murky, and could be J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru or someone else entirely.
From wannabe gangster to would-be 2-D heartthrob in just seconds.
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Cheap joke item could lead to gruesome disfigurement thanks to terrifying packaging snafu.
Even amphibians love Japan’s unmanned drink dispensers, but what do you do if you want your change?
If Nintendo won’t make a sequel, you can make one yourself, and turn your home into a haunted house, for just a few bucks.
Players can use cardboard boxes, Snake’s patented hold-up move to outwit armed human guards.
After carrying passengers to Hokkaido, the Hokutosei is now taking guests to slumberland with a great location and special beer.
When a student’s love of anime pops up during school time, some teachers would be mad, but this one decided to be awesome instead.
Chamber of Raven would be a cool video game stage, but instead it’s an amazing real-world restaurant.
New rules aims to close loophole that lets language school students spend as much of the year working full-time as attending class.
Anime serious famous for its dramatic sound effects and fashionable heroes makes one out of the other with cool and clever artwork trick.
Learned everything covered in class? You get 100 percent. Learned more than what was covered in class? Then you get a bonus.
Three-on-three league for young ladies sounds like the plot of an anime series itself, but it’s a real-life sports organization.
From download to post-boss content, loving dad shares his mature wisdom in a way that’s easy for his much younger son to relate to.
Six simple steps to slumber require no breathing apparatuses, hard liquor, or any other sleep aids.
Shows off his bodybuilding form as past of educational program with soulful saxophone soundtrack.
The Tokyo ATMs sound like the perfect cash dispensers for female otaku, so naturally we sent Mr. Sato to try them out.
American comedian responds to Hokei mayor’s request for his face on Mount Rushmore, says he’ll be here in Japan next week.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Beautiful Studio Ghibli coin/card cases recreate scenes and props from anime classics [Photos]
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Sanrio to release own rhythm game for smartphones next January
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
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
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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
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
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
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
- Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
- 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
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
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
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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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