The future of pitching alcohol has arrived in Japan.
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 441)
Sketches hand-drawn by director Makoto Shinkai show initial vision for anime film’s opening sequence.
The revolutionary girl is the latest anime icon to become the face of a cafe in one of Tokyo’s anime fandom hot spots.
Japan has plenty of awesome Kit Kats, but we just ate what might be the craziest one of all.
Chairman singles out two aspects of Japanese traditional culture that people of other nations “wouldn’t understand.”
The Idolmaster compels otaku and gamers to get to Shinjuku Station at the crack of dawn for some cool free merch.
Makoto Shinkai’s anime juggernaut was chasing the Disney hit, but which film pulled in the bigger audience at theaters?
Pointless competitiveness, unbridled perversion, and mysterious sadness are all on the menu, says our experienced expert.
One of the bleakest depictions of Tokyo in all of film is part of Olympics celebration projection mapping project.
Other books leave out key phrases like “Isn’t the president of your company a Reptilian?”, but not this one!
It’s not often that you find a dessert that can give you a brain freeze and third-degree burns, so we had to try it for ourselves.
In a world where cute cats have become a dime a dozen, the best way to stand out is by being two cute cats at the same time.
Piece of fruit with an apparent hard-on is apparently a hard sell at produce stall.
Does the tricky titillation tee work as advertised?
Surprise announcement comes at 20th anniversary celebration of pirate manga, as producer hopes to make “most expensive TV series ever produced.”
Tokyo tour visits locations from Makoto Shinkai’s hit, recreates the food the characters eat, and takes reservations in English.
MOST POPULAR
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
Tiny no-screen digital camera gives us near-instant nostalgia by making us wait to see our pics
Voting begins for Japan’s next top kaiju
Robot matchmaking party in Japan has couples sit silently, techno cupids make small talk for them
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Flying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
Weekly
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
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan- New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Voting begins for Japan’s next top kaiju
Robot matchmaking party in Japan has couples sit silently, techno cupids make small talk for them
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Flying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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
Free-flowing cocktails, natural onsen water, and custom pillows make this Osaka hotel a steal
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
-
