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 6)
Japan’s favorite quasi-local curry launches convenience store version – Does it match the real deal?
Shift in government policy allows Japan’s smallest cars to address a big problem for the taxi industy.
Iwate town sets traps to try to catch the bear with a sweet tooth, with some even being installed inside people’s houses.
![Gundam’s Char Aznable normal suit becomes roomwear for doing normal stuff in the real world [Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/0_2c36e9.jpg?w=640 "Gundam’s Char Aznable normal suit becomes roomwear for doing normal stuff in the real world [Pics]")
Sometimes you need to tell your bosses you need a break, but you need someone else to be the one to tell them.
![Baskin-Robbins Japan’s semi-secret affogato is a perfect mix of fun and fancy [Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/2_d9771a.jpg?w=640 "Baskin-Robbins Japan’s semi-secret affogato is a perfect mix of fun and fancy [Taste test]")
![Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/1_bfee47.jpg?w=640 "Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]")
The styles of six virtual idols, one modern-day illustrator, and one legend of Japanese art history come together in beautiful ways.
![Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/1_427d9f.jpg?w=640 "Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]")
Taste-testing a unique mix of two things Japan loves, but may or may not be meant to be enjoyed together.
There have been a lot of dumb hikers needing to be rescued from Japan’s tallest mountain recently, but this time the circumstances are a little different.
The Pokémon Company is going to use the Japanese government’s My Number system. Will it be super effective in stopping scalpers?
![Studio Ghibli calendar figures are back, look amazing whether you check the date or not[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/gc-0.jpg?w=640 "Studio Ghibli calendar figures are back, look amazing whether you check the date or not[Photos]")
Give Totoro, No-Face, and Jiji a little time every day, and they’ll make sure you don’t forget the date.
![Hatsune Miku crosses over into the real world in Coolish videos with Hoshimachi Suisei[Videos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/hm-8.jpg?w=640 "Hatsune Miku crosses over into the real world in Coolish videos with Hoshimachi Suisei[Videos]")
Gyarados, Psyduck, and Vaporeon all needed repairs just weeks after the Pokémon footbath opened.
Annual study finds sharp decline in interest among foreign residents to stick around for the long haul, but it’s probably leaving out some differing voices.
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
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Nagoya’s famous Shinkansen platform noodle shop has other, better branches nearby
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Osaka Starbucks has one of the city’s coolest photo vantage points, but it’s going away soon
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
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
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
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
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
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
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】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Osaka Starbucks has one of the city’s coolest photo vantage points, but it’s going away soon
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
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
KFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi collection that takes moon-viewing to extreme levels
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
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