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.
Her zamanki gibi, nefis yazı ve fotoğraflar! Tek solukta okudum ve hayallere daldım. Geçen Haziran’da Japonya’ya geldiğimde programa Okinawa’yı da dahil edip etmemeyi epeyce düşünmüştüm, fakat sonra Okinawa’nın daha uzun ve ayrı bir seyahati hak ettiğine karar vererek başka 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 island’s 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 couldn’t enjoy the beautiful water anymore.
Her zamanki gibi, nefis yazı ve fotoğraflar! Tek solukta okudum ve hayallere daldım. Geçen Haziran’da Japonya’ya geldiğimde programa Okinawa’yı da dahil edip etmemeyi epeyce düşünmüştüm, fakat sonra Okinawa’nın daha uzun ve ayrı bir seyahati hak ettiğine karar vererek başka bir zamana bıraktım bunu. Umarım yaparım ilerde.
Eline sağlık.
Not: Uniqlo kısmında kahkaha attım :)
Uniqlo’yu 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 island’s 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 🙏
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!
I’ll have to visit again to find out if it’s any less wonderful — 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 couldn’t enjoy the beautiful water anymore.
I didn’t encounter any jellyfish. Swimming and snorkeling were absolutely delightful.
That's good to know—thank you!