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 5)
We taste-test Starbuck’s latest Japanese S’mores Frappuccino, plus their first-ever hot apple cider.
Eva’s special friends take the stage for a special event at series 30th anniversary celebration.
Matcha Fair is now underway at Ikea Japan with brand-new green tea sweets for the winter holiday season.
Foodies today might be the dishes in a very different light than they did a generation ago as sushi now sits in the number-three rank.
With a diplomatic spat prompting a warning from the Chinese government, we go to see if it’s had any effect on Tokyo’s most popular historical neighborhood.
You’ll need skills at a different kind of game to get your hands on these video game plushies.
Proponents say they want to use extra money to improve quality of life for foreign residents, strengthen programs to find and deport illegal residents.
Spirited Away’s No Face also gets into the Japanese New Year’s spirit with a special kadomatsu.
You know, you really have been working hard, so why not treat yourself to a dip in a bath full of negi?
Roppongi exhibition marks 30th anniversary of the Evangelion TV series’ premier, but celebrates the entire anime franchise.
Artist behind 22-year project takes to the skies one last time on real-world version of Hayao Miyazaki flying machine.
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Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Nagoya’s dark-red miso has continued to capture tastebuds for generations
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Uniqlo Pokémon T-shirts coming to Japan this summer, in 24 crazy designs
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Lucky leaping leopards! It’s the fukubukuro for Osaka ladies and now men too
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio lucky bag gives you cute My Melody and Kumori merch, all your money back in burgers coupons
Utada Hikaru explains “why getting over someone is so painful”
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Weekly
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements- Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】- Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan- Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
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Lucky leaping leopards! It’s the fukubukuro for Osaka ladies and now men too
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio lucky bag gives you cute My Melody and Kumori merch, all your money back in burgers coupons
Utada Hikaru explains “why getting over someone is so painful”
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it
Japan’s Poop Lucky Bag is a sack of crap, but is it the good kind?
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Did this ’90s Japanese horror manga predict the coronavirus pandemic?
Lingerie manufacturer reveals size of Japan’s breasts, we reveal how to talk about them
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