You may have said goodbye to Japan, but you don’t have to say goodbye to capsule toys just yet.
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 57)
Mascot characters, a hometown hero, and creative ice cream make this a great place to pull over in Japan’s northernmost prefecture.
Clever design trick brings the Spirited Away star’s otherworldly appearance into your real-world home.
In possibly related incident, Tokyo Metropolitan Police received complaint from foreigner that “I paid the woman the money, but didn’t get to have sex.”
Board of education issues apology to children for emotional damage over their teacher having a part-time job.
Every other store in Tokyo Character Street is open, but Donguri Kyowakoku says it’s not time to shop.
First-ever permanent Pokémon amusement park attractions look like they’re going to be international traveler-friendly too.
Gambling regularly tops lists of unattractive behaviors in Japan, so how did one of the country’s most notable hobbies surpass it?
New law means that one of the host club industry’s standard marketing ploys is now illegal.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
This Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
Japanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
Weekly
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
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
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
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]- We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
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
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
KFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
We hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
Ghibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
New Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
Man in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
New Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
Tokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
Studio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
American man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
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