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 422)
Even for Japan, this is a crazy rush hour scene.
Designers claim shirt was “born of a desire to show the appeal of hamsters,” but the real motivation seems to lie elsewhere.
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Coach retains job, school says it does not think attacks by other students constituted bullying.
Company that previously produced made-in-Japan Oreos is back in the sandwich cookie game, and our reporter Meg is ready to score the fight.
Because the last thing you want to do is wander through one of Tokyo’s massive stations while trying to hold in a dump.
Missed your chance to eat at the limited-time Pokémon restaurants? The new eatery will be ready for you whenever you come to town.
Not ready to convert your own car into a shrine for your favorite anime characters? No problem, this rental car company will loan you one!
“Ghibli will continue making movies,” veteran producer vows as Miyazaki returns to the genre that made him a legend.
With nearly nine pounds of premium Japanese beef, there’s no room for any vegetables here.
It’s nice to have a partner who values your hobby, but not like this.
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Today
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Umamusume anime concerts in U.S. may have to be cancelled over visa problems
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
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
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
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]- What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
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
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
Burger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
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
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
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
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