![Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/gc-1-1.jpg?w=640 "Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]")
There’s likely a meaning between the choice of Ghibli anime’s artwork to give the visiting politician.
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 8)
![Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/sw-15.jpg?w=640 "Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]")
Mr. Sato starts his urban exploration of Tokyo to catch a glimpse of local neighborhoods’ pasts before they’re changed forever.
![Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over into Japanese convenience store cosmetics line[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/ac-9.jpg?w=640 "Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over into Japanese convenience store cosmetics line[Photos]")
Family Mart convenience stores are looking a little more like an Animal Crossing village these days.
Woodlands that inspired the creation of My Neighbor Totoro sit at the edge of the biggest city in Japan, but this fund helps keep them green.
Change comes with less than half a week’s notice, new requirements will take five more years to meet.
![Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/pm-0.jpg?w=640 "Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]")
Century-old lacquerware company, supplier to the royal family, turns its makie skills to a beloved Fire-type.
After a longer-than-expected renovation, this Ryogoku museum is finally ready to tell the human stories of Edo and Tokyo once again.
New system allows you to travel with just a credit card on more than 50 lines in and around the capital, but with one major holdout.
![50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/4_57d2fe.jpg?w=640 "50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]")
![Japan’s favorite sandwich pockets now come with sakura filling, but how do they taste?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/lp-1.jpg?w=640 "Japan’s favorite sandwich pockets now come with sakura filling, but how do they taste?[Taste test]")
![Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/1_93a2c5.jpg?w=640 "Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]")
We head half-way across Japan and try what foodies say is the most delicious McDonald’s branch in the whole county.
![Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/nm-1.jpg?w=640 "Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]")
Once an under-the-radar sakura spot, this neighborhood near Shibuya has become dangerously congested.
![Final Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/ff-1.jpg?w=640 "Final Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]")
![Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/ch-1.jpg?w=640 "Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]")
The Neko House Desk understands who’s really in charge of your home, and helps you convince them to let you have some space too.
Characters from Weekly Shonen Jump, Weekly Young Jump, and Ribon join the UT graphic T-shirts lineup.
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Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Tokyo restaurant offers lunches for less than 1 U.S. cent…if you’re good enough at rock-paper-scissors
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
What makes the Starbucks Japan chocolate terrine so popular?
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
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Government says 5.7 trillion yen of Japanese media was pirated last year, thinks AI could help
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Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
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Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
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Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country- Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Monthly
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura- Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines- Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Yearly
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
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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Government says 5.7 trillion yen of Japanese media was pirated last year, thinks AI could help
Same name tops lists of most popular dog and cat names in Japan, and there’s probably a reason why
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Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
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Own a piece of anime history with U-Treasure’s Astro Boy gold miniature figure
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
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