Some would be glad to see the Asakusa landmark go, but others dread the idea of a unique aspect of local architecture being wiped away.
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 423)
After a long day of sightseeing in Japan’s former capital, don’t forget to try this Japanese take on Irish coffee right across the street from Kyoto Station.
Professor Poop wants to impart you with kanji knowledge during his temporary stay in your digestive system.
Local landmark lets you quench your thirst and satisfy your curiosity with just one of Japan’s cheapest vending machine-usable coins.
Previously only available to other businesses, the tiny homes can now be purchased by anyone.
Dirty dishes? Just grab that shaft and work it until sticky liquid comes squirting out.
Revealing newspaper costume draws eyes and puzzled comments too.
The last time we tried wearing this outside the office, things didn’t go too well.
Tekkamaki tuna rolls have fire in their name, but in this part of west Japan, they’re almost white.
After Japanese man muses that doing chores will make him less attractive to a wife, women respond that a dude who helps out in home life is dead sexy.
Poor sexual performance, heavy debts considered punishable by death in website-inspired Husband Death Note.
Kobe-based yakuza group beckons trick-or-treating kids with cotton candy in Frozen bags at its criminal headquarters.
Survey respondents see subtle signs of potential for a happy home life in female coworkers’ desks, lunches.
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Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
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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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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
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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
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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
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Fukushima’s popular dialect T-shirt vending machine gets its first sibling in Iwaki
Osaka may name a district after mascot Myaku-Myaku
Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
Japan restarts at-home collection agent visits for public TV fees
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Bear found on Japanese fishing boat, escapes into the sea
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
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
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