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 456)
Love of anime, light novels, and/or costuming essential, desire to actually sleep optional.
Now in its 13th year, the Den Den Town event is one of the biggest otaku gatherings in central Japan.
In what’s become an annual tradition, the star musician gave a group of teens the surprise of their young lives.
Both sides of the debate express concerns about children’s mental and emotional development.
Two young boys’ imaginations and one loving father’s artistic skills continue to combine with amazing results.
Designed to flaunt feminine curves, the virgin-killing sweater will also display manly muscles.
Long after the cat went missing, it was found while its 69-year-old owner was looking for digital wildlife.
Mie town’s garden opens its gates after nightfall so guests can see the gorgeous blossoms in a whole new light.
Intricate process creates characters that look as cool now as they did in the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Veteran vocalist shows she can sing in English like nobody’s business in preview for Japanese release of animated musical Sing.
Prepaid tempura plan is totally the way to go, and even lets you choose fried chicken if that’s what your heart desires.
Tenya buries the lede (under other types of tempura) in its new “Bacon Chicken Tempura Bowl.”
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver accessory once again shows that Nintendo will not be rushed in showing its hand.
Patlabor’s Ingram is out on patrol.
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Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
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Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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Weekly
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month- Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
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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
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports- Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
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
Monthly
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
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword gets real-world practicality as a giant towel [Photos]
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Emperor of Japan poses for photo with Studio Ghibli’s No Face [Video]
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
Denny’s Mapputatsu? Parfait is hiding a big secret in plain sight that splits us down the middle
Bear found on Japanese fishing boat, escapes into the sea
Here’s why you’ll never want to hit a hole-in-one in Japan
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
Three Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
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