Letters from Japan

Letters from Japan: Feature Update for Paid Subscribers

October 2025: a quick feature announcement.

Oct 7 • 

Burcu Basar

2

Tokyo Eateries: The Non-Gourmet Version

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

Oct 5 • 

Burcu Basar

22

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 • 

Burcu Basar

112

32

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

20

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

49

14

July 2025

One Fine Day in Kanazawa

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

Jul 27 • 

Burcu Basar

11

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

89

21

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

72

8

Cycling the Shimanami Kaido in Two Days

Two-day cycling trip in the Setouchi region – planning tips.

Jun 5 • 

Burcu Basar

10

1

May 2025

Walking Shikoku (and Biking the Shimanami Kaido)

Letters from Japan, April 2025: a walk along the southern coast of Shikoku, one night in Matsuyama and biking Shimanami Kaido.

May 6 • 

Burcu Basar

84

26

April 2025

Sakura in Bloom, Spring Still in Waiting

Letters from Japan, March 2025: A three-day sakura trip to Kyoto—and a perpetually delayed spring.

Apr 10 • 

Burcu Basar

106

24

Japan Trip Planning Q&A: Part III - Miscellaneous

A series of posts on Japan trip planning, Part III: Miscellaneous—ten final questions.

Apr 1 • 

Burcu Basar

8

2