Letters from Japan

One Fine Autumn Day in Tokyo

Travel diaries: a one-day walk through (some of) Tokyo’s best fall foliage spots.

Dec 3 • 

Burcu Basar

18

4

November 2025

Tables Are Turned: The Nonsensical Travel Poll

Letters from Japan, November 2025: The Annual Travel Poll of Hypothetical Questions

Nov 12 • 

Burcu Basar

47

32

10

Tohoku Onsen Hopping: Four Nights, Four Hot Springs

Travel diaries: five-day onsen hopping trip through Tohoku during the foliage season.

Nov 9 • 

Burcu Basar

23

3

October 2025

Seasons of Japan: The Good, the Lovely, and the Terribly Ugly

Letters from Japan, October 2025: When is the best time to visit Japan? (and what to wear - just kidding, or maybe not).

Oct 23 • 

Burcu Basar

58

15

12

Letters from Japan: Feature Update for Paid Subscribers

October 2025: a quick feature announcement.

Oct 7 • 

Burcu Basar

4

3

Tokyo Eateries: The Non-Gourmet Version

Japan travel tips: a few Tokyo eatery suggestions, from an absolute non-foodie.

Oct 5 • 

Burcu Basar

27

5

September 2025

Reading Japan: From Hokkaido to Okinawa

Letters from Japan, September 2025: selection of books to accompany your trip to Japan, categorized by city/region.

Sep 11 • 

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122

32

11

August 2025

Blue Forests of Japan: Autumn Trip to Aomori

Travel diaries: itinerary suggestion for a fall colors trip to Aomori, Tohoku.

Aug 31 • 

Burcu Basar

23

2

2

Istanbul to Tokyo: Famously Connected, Proudly Isolated

Letters From Japan, August 2025: between my two homes, from Istanbul to Tokyo.

Aug 21 • 

Burcu Basar

51

14

3

July 2025

One Fine Day in Kanazawa

Travel diaries: a one-day Kanazawa itinerary inspired by a recent visit.

Jul 27 • 

Burcu Basar

11

4

Okinawa, the Reluctant Paradise

Letters from Japan, June/July 2025: a trip to Kerama Islands, arguably the best waters in the world, a tragic history, and a little arrogant, yet…

Jul 14 • 

Burcu Basar

94

21

9

June 2025

The Rainy Season Edition: Japan Travel Recap

Letters from Japan, May 2025: Japan destination recap, cities, islands, hikes and seasons.

Jun 8 • 

Burcu Basar

73

8

9