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 511)
Gen Urobuchi, writer of anime hits Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Fate/Zero, teams up with Taiwanese puppeteers to create something unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Japan’s most famous urban ruins weren’t always deserted, as shown in this video from the 1960s when Gunkanjima’s ghost town was still alive and well.
Many Japanese venues allow concertgoers to wave glow sticks, but waving your junk? That’s a no-no.
One of these puppies isn’t interested in fitting in, and Japan is more than OK with that.
Anime hero Goku appears in giant form to delight fans and hopefully keep Attack on Titan’s monsters in check.
Japan has a custom of shouting “Out with the demons!” in early February, but all we can say is “Awwwwwww!”
The 40 anthropomorphized parts of the Prius hybrid are back in a virtual idol-backed video with a unique method of writing lyrics.
It’s not like we really needed any more reasons to eat potato chips, but matcha and chocolate together make a pretty convincing argument.
Anime’s hottest new hero has no hair, but that’s no problem for this dedicated fan who cosplays as One-Punch Woman.
Commuter train with special heart-motif straps and box seats starts service in time for Valentine’s Day.
Want to try your hand at crafting Super Mario Maker screens, but don’t have a Wii U? Right this way!
If you can’t make it to one of Miku’s concerts, now she can perform for you right in your home.
Taiwanese otaku recently greeted Tsai Ing-wen with shouts of “Kirishima!”, which is causing problems for some dojinshi artists.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Nagoya’s famous Shinkansen platform noodle shop has other, better branches nearby
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Osaka Starbucks has one of the city’s coolest photo vantage points, but it’s going away soon
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Turn octopus, spaghetti, and more of your favorite foods into crackers with Senbei Maker 2
Weekly
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Monthly
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama- 7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy- Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
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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Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Osaka Starbucks has one of the city’s coolest photo vantage points, but it’s going away soon
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Turn octopus, spaghetti, and more of your favorite foods into crackers with Senbei Maker 2
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program returns after six years with free tours and festival experiences
Ohaw? Ruibe? Pocche? While traveling in Japan’s north, we try Ainu cuisine for the first time
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
KFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi collection that takes moon-viewing to extreme levels
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
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