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 410)
Videos show lunar New Year treats require a forceful stabbing that breaks hearts while making mouths water.
Industry veteran blames Internet talent scouting for massive young adult literature rewrites by people who aren’t supposed to be writing.
Call for more balanced language following gold and silver medals for Japanese figure skaters runs into strong backlash.
Sakura sweets lineup also includes mouth-watering cherry blossom cake with two sakura-sourced ingredients.
10 picks for when it’s just the two of you…but Your Name isn’t number one on the list.
Participants say that even if a guy were to spend three times as much on a thank-you present, it still wouldn’t be enough.
Apparently the breakup wasn’t as mutual as he thought, man discovers when getting home-made Pop Team Epic chocolate.
Organizers find a way to let vision-impaired kids express their opinion of which of the adorable characters best represents Japan.
Yeah, all those boutiques in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku district are nice, but this is our new favorite place in the neighborhood.
Worried your kids will find a way around parental hardware locks? Then get a lock from a hardware store.
Bulma’s back, with a famous voice actress taking over the role.
Fans’ love of Love Live! can save lives, earn them an exclusive illustration of idols in blood-red costumes.
Organization stresses the importance of keeping artists and publishers in the emotional loop between creators and fans.
A tasty, clever way to say “We’re just friends” in a country where women give chocolate to both lovers and platonic male acquaintances on February 14.
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Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
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Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Voting begins for Japan’s next top kaiju
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Weekly
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?- Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
- Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]- 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
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
Tiny no-screen digital camera gives us near-instant nostalgia by making us wait to see our pics
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Free-flowing cocktails, natural onsen water, and custom pillows make this Osaka hotel a steal
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
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