The University of Tokyo is a difficult school to get into, and also around, it seems.
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 443)
Pokémon’s leading man has gone through plenty of changes in his two decades of screen time.
Gerard Piqué seems to have enjoyed his time in Japan, but Japanese Internet users aren’t so thrilled.
More than a half-dozen key Ghibli creators team up for the first anime film from brand-new Studio Ponoc, but do they do their pedigree proud?
Japan has had plenty of special Pringles flavors over the years, but these chips are solely for another nation.
Itomori may not be an actual city, but here’s where the hometown of Your Name’s female lead would be in real-life Japan.
Fully charged battery shown completely draining in one minute in video.
Two of the characters in the Pokémon anime’s original trio of travelling friends have been replaced in I Choose You.
The Western comic icon gets a warm reception from the character designers responsible for some of anime’s biggest hits.
Never eaten beef and cake in the same bite? Neither had we, until now, but we’re glad we finally did.
Employees show increased ability to eat lightning, crap thunder, and actually go home on time.
Big eyes + tiny mouths = terrifyingly large teeth?
MOST POPULAR
Today
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
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
Voting begins for Japan’s next top kaiju
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
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
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
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
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
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
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]
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
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
High-speed Japanese festival cart crashes cause two deaths on same day, ignite debate over tradition
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
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