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 50)
There’s a premium matcha version of Japan’s favorite cheap chocolate cookie snack, and we need to know if it offers anything the standard one doesn’t.
Kids, adults, and even students who don’t live in the city are told to limit their use of smartphones and other devices.
Our reporters set out to escape Tokyo with a modest budget, a direction to go in, and no other plan.
Kiryu seems like the kind of guy who should know that effort is never meaningless, and this time is no exception.
Totoro-themed bakery whips up new batch of treats inspired by the Studio Ghibli anime classic.
Designed to let foreign goods in while keeping foreign ideas out, this Nagasaki neighborhood is one of the most historically significant places in Japan.
Osaka factory design firm turned to Epic Games for advice on its motivation-boosting system.
Family Mart’s festival of fried foods also includes fried chicken-themed accessories, clothing items, and luggage.
Chocolates, insulated bags, and tumblers featuring stars from Cardcaptor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth, and more.
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Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
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KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
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Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Weekly
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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New Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
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Giant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
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- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
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?
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
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Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
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
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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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American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
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What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
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