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 96)
Advance tickets are absolutely required and tough to get for Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum, but on certain summer days there’s a special event for the ticketless too.
There’s a lot of snickering from other parts of the world when they find out that some people in Japan still use fax machines, but an an even more old-school communications method is still an option too.
Surreal scenes of Nara’s giant Buddha statue getting its once-a-year cleaning from 170 people【Video】
Size difference makes human cleaners of the Daibutsu statue look like tiny little spirits.
Travelers vanish half-way through their reserved stay, leave no trace (or payment) behind.
Five furry competitors come together in the spirit of friendly competition and delicious fruit.
My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle characters will support your back and fulfill your desire to be surrounded by Ghibli art.
Team Japan gets first overall victory in 12 years, but it’s a safe bet that no one will ever forget this Totoro.
A jaw-dropping, magical, and whimsical chase through KyoAni’s hometown (which isn’t Kyoto).
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
Emperor of Japan poses for photo with Studio Ghibli’s No Face [Video]
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
Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
Only two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
Tokyo cafe challenges customers to play with their food? Challenge accepted!
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
Making the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
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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
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
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
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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New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
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Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
Only two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
Tokyo cafe challenges customers to play with their food? Challenge accepted!
Studio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
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The number of centenarians living in Japan tops 100,000 for the first time
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
JAL first class cakes can be bought for a bargain, but are they as bougie as they seem?
Should this Japanese game developer be annoyed with “similar” release by other studio?
Gang of angry monkeys surrounds and attacks Japanese man in hot spring town
Starbucks Japan unveils Mitsuimo Milk, a new drink that celebrates the taste of autumn
Fox spotted in Tokyo’s 23 wards, Japanese Internet wonders if it’s a shapeshifting spirit [Video]
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