Monthly Letters

For the Love of Ritual: Onsen in Japan

Letters from Japan, March 2026: some of my favorite hot spring experiences in Japan.

Mar 13 • Burcu Basar

Hiking Japan: From Okinawa to Hokkaido

Letters from Japan, February 2026: My favourite hikes in Japan, from Okinawa to Hokkaido, and a snowstorm in Tokyo.

Feb 13 • Burcu Basar

An Ode to the Snow Country: Hokkaido

Letters from Japan, January 2026: a return to Hokkaido.

Jan 12 • Burcu Basar

A Year in Japan, in Four Seasons

Letters from Japan, December 2025: year in photos, favorite travel reads, and the results of the Travel Poll.

Dec 10, 2025 • Burcu Basar

Tables Are Turned: The Nonsensical Travel Poll

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

Nov 12, 2025 • Burcu Basar

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, 2025 • Burcu Basar

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, 2025 • Burcu Basar

Istanbul to Tokyo: Famously Connected, Proudly Isolated

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

Aug 21, 2025 • Burcu Basar

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, 2025 • Burcu Basar

The Rainy Season Edition: Japan Travel Recap

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

Jun 8, 2025 • Burcu Basar

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, 2025 • Burcu Basar

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, 2025 • Burcu Basar

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