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 54)
There’s more than one reason why Grave of the Fireflies merch doesn’t pop up very often, but this new T-shirt collection is a bittersweet exception.
One Piece Card Game Happy Meals hadn’t even been formally announced yet, were supposed to debut in less than 10 days.
If you’re picking up one of Uniqlo’s new Pokémon Trading Card T-shirts, you’re going to want to hold onto the tag.
We’d love the Cooling Matcha Mousse Tea at any time of year, but debuting in the middle of an intense heat wave makes it all the more satisfying.
Otaku from across the nation pack the halls of Tokyo Big Sight for Japan’s biggest independent manga/anime art festival.
Chilling terror mixes with warm nostalgia as the Hiesan Haunted House rises from its figurative grave.
Peach John’s Master’s Bra design draws inspiration from an official national treasure of Japan.
Believe it or not, there’s a very logical reason that one of Japan’s most famous car companies has gotten into the curry game.
NAFCA text covers the skills, both in drawing and speaking Japanese, that you’ll need to start an anime artist career in Japan.
With new Pokémon toys on the way, McDonald’s is trying to get ahead of the problems being caused by speculative scalpers.
The giant robot statue wasn’t the only surprise on our trip to Kobe neighborhood where its famous everyday dish that isn’t Kobe beef got its start.
Popularity with customers, including foreign tourists, leads to chain hitting crane game target months ahead of schedule.
Medical apparel company expands Pokémon line and addresses a complaint from fans about the original design.
Six feline friends, with one a secret, are ready to stick to surfaces and transport some Ghibli cuteness.
Refusal of sales and mobile app account bans to be implemented, following latest case of speculators spoiling fun for fans and upsetting regular customers.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
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
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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
- American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
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
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody- 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]
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
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?
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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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
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
Vietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
High-speed Japanese festival cart crashes cause two deaths on same day, ignite debate over tradition
Japanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
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