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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 13)
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
- Casey Baseel
Jun 16, 2026 - Tweet
Giant Totoro heads across the Pacific as Ghibli specialty shop opens up in California.
- Japan, USA
- (anime & manga • COK • Donguri Kyowakoku • Donguri Republic • Donguri Republic in Los Angeles • Los Angeles • Studio Ghibli • Totoro)
Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
- Casey Baseel
Jun 16, 2026
With the full-scale train needing to take a break, toymaker Takara Tomy is here to pick up the Slowpoke slack.
- Japan
- (anime • cute • figures • Japan travel • Kagawa • Kagawa Prefecture • model trains • Pokemon • Slowpoke • Takara Tomy • tourism • toys • trains • travel • video games • Yadon)
When is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains
- Casey Baseel
Jun 16, 2026
Sukiya serves up a unique interpretation of miso ramen.
- Japan
- (beef bowls • food • gyudon.Sukiya • miso ramen • miso soup • Noodles • ramen • restaurants • SNJO • taste test • tonjiru)
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
- Casey Baseel
Jun 16, 2026
Educator in Nara’s most famous deer town fast tracks admission to institute of higher learning.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
- Casey Baseel
Jun 15, 2026
Farewell celebration includes giveaways to help fans look a little more like Gundam themselves.
- Japan
- (anime • Gundam • Gundam statue • Japan travel • life-size Gundam • manga • mecha • odaiba • robots • Tokyo Gundam • tourism • travel • Unicorn Gundam)
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
- Casey Baseel
Jun 15, 2026
And no, that’s not Kyoto.
- Japan
- (7-Eleven • 7-Eleven Japan • COK • convenience stores • food • green tea • matcha • onigiri • rice balls • Shizuoka • Shizuokacha • sweets • tea)
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
- Casey Baseel
Jun 15, 2026
Universal Studios Japan made our Frieren fan cry, and she’s very OK with that.
- Japan
- (Amusement Parks • anime • COK • cool • food • Frieren • Frieren Beyond Journey’s End • manga • SNJO • theme parks • themed restaurants • Universal Cool Japan • Universal Studios • Universal Studios Japan • USJ)
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
- Casey Baseel
Jun 14, 2026
Hello Kitty and friends imagined what their perfect hotel would be like, and they’re inviting you in.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
- Casey Baseel
Jun 13, 2026
Luna Azul can take you from Tokyo to Akita or Aomori while you snooze.
- Japan
- (Akita • Aomori • COK • East Japan Railway Company • hot springs • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR East • Kusatsu • onsen • overnight trains • Shibukawa • Tohoku • tourism • trains • travel)
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
- Casey Baseel
Jun 12, 2026
Let’s a-go (to Mcdonald’s)!
- Japan
- (fast food • figures • food • Happy Meal toys • Happy Meals • Happy Set • Mario • McDonald's • McDonald's Japan • nintendo • Super Mario • Super Mario Galaxy • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie • toys • video games)
Bears appear at one of Kyoto Prefecture’s most popular tourist spots[Video]
- Casey Baseel
Jun 12, 2026
People have been traveling to Amanohashidate for centuries, and this week apparently bears are too.
- Japan
- (Amanohashidate • animals • bear attacks • bears • Japan travel • Kyoto Prefecture • tourism • travel • video)
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
- Casey Baseel
Jun 12, 2026
Ordinarily cheap Matsuya opens a high-priced Matsuya inside another upscale Matsuya.
- Japan
- (beef • beef bowls • bento • boxed lunches • COK • department stores • food • Ginza Matsuya • gyudon • Japanese beef • Japanese food • Kobe beef • Matsuya • Matsuya Ginza • restaurants • SNJO • taste test • Wagyu)
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
- Casey Baseel
Jun 11, 2026
End of an era is coming for ecological and economic reasons.
- Japan
- (COK • East Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway • Japan travel • JR • JR East • tourism • trains • travel)
Trigun Legacy Cafe coming to two Japanese cities this summer to salute series’ original form
- Casey Baseel
Jun 11, 2026
Humanoid Typhoon to hit Shibuya and Namba this July.
- Japan
- (anime • COK • food • manga • Marui • restaurants • themed restaurants • Trigun)
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
- Casey Baseel
Jun 11, 2026
Japan’s Kansai region inspires some very bold baking in Shakey’s Japan’s ovens.
- Japan
- (COK • crazy • food • green tea • matcha • mochi • nama yatsuhashi • pizza • restaurants • saikyoyaki • Shakey's • Shakey’s Japan • Shakey’s Pizza • sweets • weird)
Burger King Japan offering all-you-can-eat quad-burgers, whoever eats the most gets more in December
- Casey Baseel
Jun 11, 2026
Beefy gauntlet has been thrown down once again by Burger King Japan.
- Japan
- (all-you-can-eat • Burger King • Burger King Japan • burgers • COK • food • hamburgers • One Pounder Challenge • one-pounder • restaurants)
This shop combines traditional Japanese sweets with…mayonnaise?!?[Taste test]
- Casey Baseel
Jun 10, 2026
Even with a shop name like Mayo x Mayo, we weren’t expecting this much mayo.
- Japan
- (COK • crazy • daifuku • dango • food • Japanese food • mayo • mayonnaise • mitarashi dango • mochi • SNJO • sweets • taste test • weird)
Gun found in Japanese convenience store restroom, traced to forgetful on-duty cop
- Casey Baseel
Jun 10, 2026
A public restroom stall shock that had nothing to do with cleanliness.
- Japan
- (bathrooms • COK • convenience stores • crazy • crime • firearms • funny • gun • police • restrooms • weird)
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
- Casey Baseel
Jun 10, 2026
Tokyo’s new video game/anime eatery has a lot to love (and eat).
- Japan
- (anime • cafes • Chocobo • Dragon Quest • drinksSquare Enix Cafe • Final Fantasy • food • Fullmetal Alchemist • manga • Nier • Nier: Automata • restaurants • slime • Square Enix • sweets • themed cafes • video games)
Shinto shrine’s night sky firefly sweets are Japan’s newest breathtaking, mouthwatering desserts.
- Casey Baseel
Jun 10, 2026
Firefly-viewing season provides the inspiration for breathtaking Japanese confectionaries.
- Japan
- (beautiful • cafes • fireflies • food • Japanese food • Japanese sweets • Omiya • Saitama • shrines • sweets • Yokan)
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Recent Posts
- 7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
- Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
- Japanese pudding gets a massive big-eats upgrade at this Tokyo cafe
- Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
- Japan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
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MOST POPULAR
- Today
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Today
Burger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
Japanese pudding gets a massive big-eats upgrade at this Tokyo cafe
Mt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
TeamLab is building a new Tokyo museum, and it’s the digital art group’s biggest ever
Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
Japan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
Weekly
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan- Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals- Mt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
Megadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
Monthly
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
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
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
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
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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RECOMMENDED STORIES
TeamLab is building a new Tokyo museum, and it’s the digital art group’s biggest ever
Visiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
Starbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
Japan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
Ghibli store Donguri Kyowakoku now has special frames to protect your anime art Paper Theater kits
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
New Gundam megastore announced for one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist neighborhoods
Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki not impressed by generative AI images, Hayao Miyazaki thinks even less of them
Join Naked in the Niwa garden: Kyoto Station’s newest spot to craft traditional art
Don Quijote ear cleaner sucks, and was criticised by customers, but is the new version any better?
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