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 strangely admirable approach to summer.
This was such a vivid glimpse, thank you. My son is about to be deployed to the USAF base on Okinawa, so I passed this along to him. Reading your reflections gave me a sense of what he might experience ā both the beauty and the weight of its history.
As slow travelers ourselves, Iām struck by how much place can shape perspective, and how layers of joy and tragedy coexist in ways that leave their mark. Your piece reminded me why we keep choosing the slower path, to really see a place instead of just passing through.
Her zamanki gibi, nefis yazı ve fotoÄraflar! Tek solukta okudum ve hayallere daldım. GeƧen Haziranāda Japonyaāya geldiÄimde programa Okinawaāyı da dahil edip etmemeyi epeyce dĆ¼ÅĆ¼nmĆ¼ÅtĆ¼m, fakat sonra Okinawaānın daha uzun ve ayrı bir seyahati hak ettiÄine karar vererek baÅka bir zamana bıraktım bunu. Umarım yaparım ilerde.
Stunningly beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I've heard the term "Hateruma Blue" on Japan's southernmost island as well. When we went to Kerama in May a few years back we hit a rainy patch, so didn't see these colors. Need to go again.
Pascal, thank you for your time. I hope you get to visit Kerama on a sunny day. Same happened to me when I first visited Ishigaki, and I could not enjoy the islandās scenic beauty.
Absolutely beautiful but also what a tragedy regarding the amount of Islanders, who were pressured by their own leaders into committing suicide - I learned something important today
Wow, thank you. I've been contemplating a trip to Japan and finding these Nature destinations over city travel much more appealing. I live on Vancouver Island of the West coast of Canada, not warm by contrast to Japan but beautiful.
Shirley, thank you for your time and kind note. I believe the West Coast of Canada is one of the most beautiful corners in the world. I have visited a few times, but unfortunately, not for a proper hike yet.
This was a fun read, thank you. I live at the other end of the world in Toronto, Canada. Your piece made me think of all the good times I had in Erikli, an idyllic town on the Aegean coast.
Wonderful piece and beautiful photos. Brought back some good memories from a trip 15 years ago to Zamami where I snorkeled with some giant sea turtles.
How was the jellyfish situation? Was it safe to swim? Pleasant to swim? Last year near Fukuoke we had so many jellyfish we couldnāt enjoy the beautiful water anymore.
This was such a vivid glimpse, thank you. My son is about to be deployed to the USAF base on Okinawa, so I passed this along to him. Reading your reflections gave me a sense of what he might experience ā both the beauty and the weight of its history.
As slow travelers ourselves, Iām struck by how much place can shape perspective, and how layers of joy and tragedy coexist in ways that leave their mark. Your piece reminded me why we keep choosing the slower path, to really see a place instead of just passing through.
I'm visiting Okinawa for the first time in September and really looking forward to it! š thank you for writing this Burcu!
Hi Simon, I hope your trip was fun!
Thanks Burcu! Our trip is right at the end of September so haven't been yet but getting very excited making plans now!
Oh end of September, what a great time for Okinawa! And if there is anything I can help with, please don`t hesitate.
Her zamanki gibi, nefis yazı ve fotoÄraflar! Tek solukta okudum ve hayallere daldım. GeƧen Haziranāda Japonyaāya geldiÄimde programa Okinawaāyı da dahil edip etmemeyi epeyce dĆ¼ÅĆ¼nmĆ¼ÅtĆ¼m, fakat sonra Okinawaānın daha uzun ve ayrı bir seyahati hak ettiÄine karar vererek baÅka bir zamana bıraktım bunu. Umarım yaparım ilerde.
Eline saÄlık.
Not: Uniqlo kısmında kahkaha attım :)
Uniqloāyu biraz harcamis oldum :)
Stunningly beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I've heard the term "Hateruma Blue" on Japan's southernmost island as well. When we went to Kerama in May a few years back we hit a rainy patch, so didn't see these colors. Need to go again.
Pascal, thank you for your time. I hope you get to visit Kerama on a sunny day. Same happened to me when I first visited Ishigaki, and I could not enjoy the islandās scenic beauty.
Absolutely beautiful but also what a tragedy regarding the amount of Islanders, who were pressured by their own leaders into committing suicide - I learned something important today
Thank you for your time, reading it š
Wow, thank you. I've been contemplating a trip to Japan and finding these Nature destinations over city travel much more appealing. I live on Vancouver Island of the West coast of Canada, not warm by contrast to Japan but beautiful.
Shirley, thank you for your time and kind note. I believe the West Coast of Canada is one of the most beautiful corners in the world. I have visited a few times, but unfortunately, not for a proper hike yet.
This was a fun read, thank you. I live at the other end of the world in Toronto, Canada. Your piece made me think of all the good times I had in Erikli, an idyllic town on the Aegean coast.
Deniz Kumsal, thank you for your time, and also hi!
Wonderful piece and beautiful photos. Brought back some good memories from a trip 15 years ago to Zamami where I snorkeled with some giant sea turtles.
I am glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you for your time and kind note. Zamami must have felt even more wonderful 15 years ago!
Iāll have to visit again to find out if itās any less wonderful ā I somehow doubt it.
How was the jellyfish situation? Was it safe to swim? Pleasant to swim? Last year near Fukuoke we had so many jellyfish we couldnāt enjoy the beautiful water anymore.
I didnāt encounter any jellyfish. Swimming and snorkeling were absolutely delightful.
That's good to knowāthank you!