Letters from Japan
I am Burcu (more on that below). Thank you for your interest in my newsletter.
Letters from Japan, the newsletter extension of my website Letters from Asia, focuses on travel in Japan and is delivered monthly directly to subscribers via email, along with additional posts and features for paid subscribers (more on that below). Living in Tokyo, I primarily write about my travels around Japan, with occasional posts from trips overseas when the opportunity arises.
Monthly letters
Each new monthly Letter from Japan is free for all subscribers for one month after publication. Past editions then become part of the paid archive, where paid subscribers have unlimited access to the complete collection. Free subscribers can also read one archive post of their choice each month. Some of the past editions include:
Hiking Kumano Kodo: the Nakahechi Route (April 2026) – a diary of a recent hike along Japan’s beloved pilgrimage route, complete with an FAQ section and trail notes.
Reading Japan: From Hokkaido to Okinawa (September 2025) – a literary journey through Japan from north to south, with a selection of books to accompany your travels.
Okinawa: The Reluctant Paradise (July 2025) – exploring the dreamy Kerama Islands and their intriguing history.
Hiking Japan: From Okinawa to Hokkaido (February 2026) – my favorite hiking trails across the country, from Iriomote Island in Okinawa to Rebun Island in Hokkaido.
For the Love of Ritual - Onsen Hopping Across Japan (March 2026) - an introduction to the bathing culture in the country and some of my favorite Japanese hot springs.
An Ode to the Snow Country (January 2026) – a letter of appreciation for Hokkaido and its harsh winters.
Snow Falling on Cedars - Winter Trips in Japan (February 2025) - a letter outlining some of my favorite winter trips in Japan, inspired by a recent trip to Kanazawa-Shirakawa-Takayama.
For paid subscribers
Paid subscribers also receive access to additional itinerary-focused posts (such as the One Fine Day walking-city series), alongside unlimited access to the complete Letters from Japan archive. Recent paid editions include:
A four-day onsen-hopping trip through Tohoku during the fall foliage season
My (definitely) non-gourmet guide to some of Tokyo’s eateries
For annual subscribers
Annual subscribers receive all of the above and are also welcome to contact me by email or arrange a web call for personalized help planning their trip to Japan.
For easier navigation, all paid posts are organized by category in the Paid Archive Overview on Substack and on a dedicated Resource Page on my website, where travel diary series can also be read as complete articles with a table of contents.
The website - Letters from Asia
Since long before this newsletter, and since 2013, I have regularly posted travel articles and photos on my website. It was first titled, very uncreatively, burcubasar.com, before becoming bizarrejourneys.com, following the early-2010s blog-era vibe. The current name, Letters from Asia, is here to stay, reflecting both where I live and where I am from.
On the website, you will find many additional posts about Japan, including a Japan Travel Frequently Asked Questions section, hiking diaries, city guides, travel stories from beyond Japan, as well as a photo gallery and a print shop.
I am Burcu
I am Burcu (a name that’s quite difficult for non-Turkish speakers to pronounce, so don’t worry about it), originally from Istanbul, Turkey—the love of my life and my biggest heartbreak. While the ongoing political situation is painful for many of us, I am forever grateful for the perspectives that being from a country and a city located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, and surrounded by eight neighbors (Greece, Bulgaria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Georgia), has afforded me. In a region where various political ideologies, racial and ethnic groups, and religions coexist, try to coexist, or fail to do so, you inevitably grow up aware of realities beyond your own. Now, living in a relatively isolated island nation, that perspective feels even more crucial to me. In this post, I wrote more about the differences between my two homes: From an Isolated Island-Nation to That Place Where the Continents Meet.
Traveling has been the greatest joy of my life since I took my first solo trip abroad at the age of 20 (I am now 45). In addition to Japan, I am drawn to the regions with dramatic landscape scenery, like Scandinavia and New Zealand. As for the cities, I am not ashamed of my undying love for Paris, which I, to this date, still find to be the most spectacular city in the world. My current permanent base is Tokyo, Japan—a city and country that I believe offers an almost impossibly perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
Over the past decade, and particularly since relocating to Japan in 2019, I’ve had the opportunity to work on paid travel writing and photography assignments, mainly partnering with Japan-based travel content agencies and tourism offices. But I am originally a lawyer. After working at a law firm in Istanbul for 13 years, I took a break, during which I only did contract-based remote work, allowing me to travel for longer periods, and eventually moved to Japan. I currently work full-time at a research institute in Tokyo, which isn’t directly related to legal services but still ties into my previous experience as a lawyer. We are working primarily with Asian governments and development banks to develop legal frameworks that encourage a larger pool of investors to finance social infrastructure projects. I also get to teach one law-related class at a graduate school on Saturday mornings. Fortunately, I get plenty of time off, allowing me to travel and keep my website and newsletter active. I also get to travel for work quite frequently.
I am happiest when I’m walking and saddest when I reflect on how my country has changed over the past two decades.
Whether or not you choose to become a paid subscriber, I’m always happy to help with any Japan-related travel questions. So, please feel free to leave a comment, send me an email, or drop a message in the Substack chat.
Once again, thank you for being here. It truly means a lot.
Burcu
