Luce is an attempt to form connections via “the pop culture so beloved by our young people.”
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 61)
Beautiful Naked digital art event comes to Kyoto’s Nijo Castle after dark (contains no nudity)【Pics】
As the sun goes down, the lights go on for an amazing illumination of Kyoto’s 345-year-old castle and its fall-color gardens.
Holding a GameCube controller again for the first time in years brings back a rush of memories.
Blessed Wearable Blankets all receive prayers that wearers will pass their entrance exams.
Nine great ways to spend 1,000 yen at Japan’s favorite donut chain (or one great way to spend 9,000 yen).
A lot of changes are coming to Japan’s laid-back unlimited ride ticket, and most of them aren’t good.
Historical tea houses, throwing stars, retro cafes, and Kanazawa’s special curry, all without any need to book a hotel.
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Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Evangelion director calls Hayao Miyazaki “geezer” in anime commentary, says he broke his Walkman
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Weekly
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan- Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
- Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Evangelion director calls Hayao Miyazaki “geezer” in anime commentary, says he broke his Walkman
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Perfume single cover designed by Chihayafuru manga artist is “Flash”ing into headlines
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Hayao Miyazaki and Evangelion creator get together for a photo and a talk about beards
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
How to speak Japanese like a gyaru【2024 edition】
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
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