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
Taking a break in the shade? Here’s some Japanese vocabulary and cultural knowledge that could be yours by the time you step back into the sun.
New machines at two of Tokyo’s busiest metro stations will require you to pay with a credit card or one-day-pass QR code.
One country’s travelers spend more than double the total average for tourists in Japan, and it’s one the Japanese tourism industry hasn’t paid much attention to.
![Hatsune Miku, VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi perform opening pitch at pro baseball game in Japan [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/2_a44dc7.jpg?w=640 "Hatsune Miku, VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi perform opening pitch at pro baseball game in Japan [Video]")
![If you love Pokémon and cats, you’ll love Japan’s cat Pokémon cat toys and feeding dishes[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/20_9fb756.jpg?w=640 "If you love Pokémon and cats, you’ll love Japan’s cat Pokémon cat toys and feeding dishes[Photos]")
![Taco sandwiches appear in Japan with new Lunch Pack sandwich pocket flavor[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/5_b24272.jpg?w=640 "Taco sandwiches appear in Japan with new Lunch Pack sandwich pocket flavor[Taste test]")
![Studio Ghibli’s new moving keychains are the angry, adorable bugs from Nausicaa [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/20_92fb68.jpg?w=640 "Studio Ghibli’s new moving keychains are the angry, adorable bugs from Nausicaa [Photos]")
![Giant Snorlax, other snoozing Pokémon appear in Yokohama for Pokémon Sleeping Faces Research [Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/0_d19506.jpg?w=640 "Giant Snorlax, other snoozing Pokémon appear in Yokohama for Pokémon Sleeping Faces Research [Pics]")
![Japan’s “edible fireworks” wagashi sweets return, but only for a limited time [Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/3_9affc3.jpg?w=640 "Japan’s “edible fireworks” wagashi sweets return, but only for a limited time [Photos]")
In business for over 70 years, this traditional confectioner figured out how to turn the suspension of a Japanese tradition into a new one of their own.
Japan’s favorite quasi-local curry launches convenience store version – Does it match the real deal?
Shift in government policy allows Japan’s smallest cars to address a big problem for the taxi industy.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Universal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults-only horror attraction
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Weekly
- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China- Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Monthly
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- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
- Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country- Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
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
- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Universal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults-only horror attraction
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Studio Ghibli releases Japanese curry shirts in honour of anime about the studio’s staff
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
“We want to be Japan’s best cheap restaurant” says new (but also not new) Akihabara noodle joint
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
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