Monthly Letters

A Day in Nikko, Across Many Autumns

Letters from Japan, October 2026: an (or six) autumn trip to Oku-Nikko, in praise of repeat travel.

Oct 26 • Burcu Basar

Back to Australia: Walking from Cape to Cape

Letters from Japan, September 2026: hiking the Cape to Cape Trail in Western Australia.

Oct 11 • Burcu Basar

The Mighty Autumn Colors

Letters from Japan, August 2026: some of my favorite foliage-viewing destinations in Japan, in chronological order from September to December.

Aug 30 • Burcu Basar

Summer in Japan: The Hokkaido Edition

Letters from Japan, July 2026: A summer trip to Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, and an ode to timeless landscapes.

Aug 2 • Burcu Basar

Books About Japan (From the Archive)

Letters from Japan, June 2026: Rainy season notes and an archive edition of a literary journey across Japan.

Jun 25 • Burcu Basar

A Not-So-Pale View of the Hills: Nagasaki and Beyond

Letters from Japan, May 2026: a trip through Nagasaki, and the islands of Hidden Christianity.

May 17 • Burcu Basar

Walking Kumano Kodo: The Imperial Route

Letters from Japan, April 2026: back to Kumano Kodo, the Nakahechi Route, eight years later.

Apr 12 • Burcu Basar

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

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