Believe it! The Hollywood Naruto is finally ready to look for its live-action ninja stars.
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 7)
As of this month, exploring off the beaten path in Kyushu can save you a whole lot of cash.
![Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/0_c18d33.jpg?w=640 "Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]")
The original Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue were in black and white, so these Uniqlo tees are too.
There are actually three things wrong with the U.S. president’s statement that the Islamic Republic of Japan attacked an American aircraft carrier.
![Japan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/1_8ad1a1.jpg?w=640 "Japan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]")
Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport wants to help bring travelers to a part of Japan that could use more visitors.
A Night in the Valley of Witches makes its screening debut, and Hayao Miyazaki’s first-ever art exhibition created for Ghibli’s theme park, three years in the making, opens too.
Following suspiciously swift sell-out of Yoshinoya’s Dragon Quest Slime bowls, new policy means that everyone who wants one can buy one at the regular price.
![7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/1_3c85fd.jpg?w=640 "7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]")
Vietnam’s star sandwich reaches a new milestone on the road to mainstream popularity in Japan.
If you’re looking to start your Mt. Fuji hike as early as possible without having to spend the night, here’s how.
![Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/1_2847e1.jpg?w=640 "Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]")
There’s actually a good reason for a train to quickly get people between the Tokyo area’s two airports.
Nicknack is the culmination of layers upon layers of branding quasi-copying, and also home to some very unusual Pikachus.
![The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/0_8d5bf5.jpg?w=640 "The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]")
Dragon Quest Slimes appear at Yoshinoya, and the restaurant is trying to make sure they go home with actual fans.
Studio Ghibli pseudo-literature isn’t for reading, but is still something fans will want on their shelf.
![Sanrio’s new McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals give the spotlight all to Cinnamoroll[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/cr-1.jpg?w=640 "Sanrio’s new McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals give the spotlight all to Cinnamoroll[Photos]")
Butler Association Japan wants to provide training in legitimate maid skills, but says they can be applied to other professional fields as well.
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We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
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Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program returns after six years with free tours and festival experiences
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
Weekly
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- Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
- 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
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Monthly
- 12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards- 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
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it- Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
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】
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Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
Masturbatory aid maker Tenga releases officially licensed anime versions in Japan and U.S.
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
KFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi collection that takes moon-viewing to extreme levels
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
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