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 65)
Kyoto’s crazy expensive luxury chirimen nut clusters cost as much as a lunch, but are they worth it?
Once the hottest ice cream chain in the country, Cold Stone is now just one step away from completely disappearing from Japan.
Volunteer recruitment means you could help plant, and then eat, Demon Slayer’s protagonist.
Legendary composer Jo Hisaishi and the U.K.’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra combine the sounds and sights of Studio Ghibli’s anime films for two unforgettable nights.
Hotels had been meeting for decades to exchange insider information regarding occupancy rates and future pricing projections.
Case is Japan’s first arrest and conviction for selling Switch with unauthorized modifications.
Three different patterns featuring the staff and customers of the Studio Ghibli bathhouse of the gods.
Godiva Japan’s new Stone-ground Uji Matcha Chocolixir is a powered-up version of many things we love
“Matcha chocolate” is already enough to get us excited, but this drink’s ingredients even more special.
A quick way for Ghibli fans to give themselves a smile at least twice a day while commuting or traveling in Japan.
24,000 Japanese drivers scrupulously submit payment offers after expressway collection system breaks
Many more are yet to do so, though, and the toll collector isn’t planning to let them off for free.
Cozy cosplay pajamas from Square Enix are just the thing for fans who want to mix in some kupos and kwehs when catching Zs.
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Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Three Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
Only two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
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Weekly
- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain
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OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
Can hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
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Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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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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Studio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
Tokyo cafe challenges customers to play with their food? Challenge accepted!
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
JAL first class cakes can be bought for a bargain, but are they as bougie as they seem?
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
Fox spotted in Tokyo’s 23 wards, Japanese Internet wonders if it’s a shapeshifting spirit [Video]
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
Hatsune Miku/Hokusai exhibition in Tokyo lets you make your own Miku woodblock print
Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
Starbucks Corporation is planning to sell off Starbucks Japan, report says
Naked illuminates Kyoto’s cultural traditions in Nijo Castle’s latest digital art spectacular
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