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)
![Tokyo’s insane Garlic Ramen is a meal, and an aroma, you’ll never forget[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/nr-5.jpg?w=640 "Tokyo’s insane Garlic Ramen is a meal, and an aroma, you’ll never forget[Taste test]")
Cultural quirks have a hand in making the same name the favorite for dogs and cats in annual study.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry conducts study to estimate damage to producers of anime and other Japanese media.
![Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/po-2.jpg?w=640 "Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]")
Pikachu and Gyarados invite you to come by for a relaxing soak as Noto town recovers from disaster.
KFC set out to recreate the image of three parts of the U.S. in sandwich form, and it looks like they hit at least one bullseye.
![Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/gd-1.jpg?w=640 "Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]")
![Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/2_847992.jpg?w=640 "Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]")
New system would prevent non-residents from buying certain items from Pokémon Center Online.
Local sweets-fan favorite serves as inspiration for one of two donuts not available anywhere else in the world.
There are two phone numbers to remember in a situation like this, but one is much more important.
Combination of factors is dimming the shine of one of the stars of Japanese restaurant culture.
The adorable bottle is only part of what makes this a fun and convenient way to protect yourself from UV rays.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
Furby is now a sexy anime girl figure[Photos]
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Family Mart changes its Famichiki packaging for the first time in nine years
Survey shows foreigners’ desire to work in Japan long-term dropping, but that’s not the whole story
Weekly
- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists- Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country- Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
- Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Monthly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
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]- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- 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
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
Furby is now a sexy anime girl figure[Photos]
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Family Mart changes its Famichiki packaging for the first time in nine years
Survey shows foreigners’ desire to work in Japan long-term dropping, but that’s not the whole story
3-second salt company jingle becomes #1 karaoke song in Japan across all genres
McDonald’s Japan reveals new Pokémon collaboration range, covering McNuggets and lucky bags
Piko Taro is back to rock your world with bizarre new Super Cup ice cream video
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Giant Mewtwo statue disappears from real-life Pokémon Center in Japan, may be headed to America
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Foreign tourists staying in one part of Japan can now get nightly government hotel discounts
Suntanned Hello Kitty steals the show in Japanese magazine’s Sanrio freebies
Hollywood live-action Naruto movie announces global search for its Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
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