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 395)
It’s hard to get beat by an inanimate, frozen foe, but then again it’s also hard to be this cute.
Power of love gets an assist from the power of creativity for heartwarming shared bicycle ride.
And if you’re a traveler or a local with a full load of laundry to do, there’s no more relaxing way to get it done.
Or, if you want to be really unique, snow toilets and urinals.
In Japan, it’s all about finding an apartment that’s close to the station, and they don’t get any closer than this one outside downtown Tokyo.
Sensoji Temple, the Ghibli Museum, and Tokyo Disneyland are always worth a visit, but especially on snowy days like this.
Cinema fans might be reminded of a famous Ghibli anime and Godzilla film, but this is one time when real-life Japan is better than any movie magic.
Surgery scar cover is a rare exception to Japan’s traditional no-clothes-in-the-bath rule.
Restaurants that specialize in salmon sashimi are few and far between in Japan, but now there’s one right in the center of Tokyo.
And yes, you can get up and walk around while still inside the Super-big Wrapped in Warmth and Happy Fuzzy-lined Sleeping Bag.
But you might need to grind for treasure before you can afford a bottle of this high-priced, high-quality scotch.
Japan’s amazingly cozy heated tables combined with movie magic? Sounds like the perfect way to spend a winter day.
Because it’s never too early to start planning what kind of beer to bring to this spring’s cherry blossom viewing parties.
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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?
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
Japan’s cafe that won’t let you go home until you solve a puzzle is opening in Osaka’s canal district
Extra-cute Sea Animal crepes come to Japan’s cafe chain born from a sweet fashion brand
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
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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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- What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
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
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan- Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
- Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
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 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
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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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Beautiful Ghibli anime uchiwa fans are like little posters you can use to keep yourself cool
Studio Ghibli still doesn’t allow its anime to be streamed online in Japan, and here’s why
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Here’s the Studio Ghibli cookbook recipe to make Lin’s Spirited Away sweets she gave to Chihiro
Official Spirited Away cookbook teaches how to make food from the Ghibli anime classic
Gigantic gacha machine appears in Tokyo department store for capsule toy celebration
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