23 Comments

I've always been fascinated by Hokkaido since I learned about it. Thank you for sharing about your trip and all the photos! I'm even more inspired to visit someday.

Expand full comment

Thank you Alyssa, hope you get to visit soon!

Expand full comment

I've always wanted to visit Hokkaido but never made it there yet. I will though-especially after reading this!

Expand full comment

Thank you Lisa. Hope you get to visit soon! Winter visit is also highly recommended!

Expand full comment

You really know how to make me yearn for a trip to Japan! I know have itchy feet again! These hikes look amazing. I definitely will add these to my list of places to visit. Thank you!

Expand full comment

Thank you Susanne. I think you would particularly enjoy the winter scenery in Hokkaido.

Expand full comment

What an amazing trip! Thank you for sharing it with us. Love the photos ♥️

Expand full comment

As always, thank you for following!

Expand full comment

Awesome article. Hokkaido is huge on my bucket list! I know I will get there in time...

Expand full comment

I read A Wild Sheep Chase a really long time ago. I loved how you tied it in. I may read it again!

Expand full comment

I also kind of re-read it during this trip to Hokkaido - I think it is a great companion for any trip to the region. I now have the Roads to Sata by Alan Booth to read during an upcoming 13-hour flight :)

Expand full comment

Loved this, Burcu and it makes us want to visit Hokkaido even more. The island looks like a cross between Hawaii and Norway!

Expand full comment

Thank you Marco, one particular view reminded me of Lofoten Islands in Norway as well, likely my favorite place on Earth. But I have never been to Hawaii.

Expand full comment

Hi Burcu I am a deep lover of everything Japanese. To this end I follow you, your writing and photos with much awe and admiration. Thank you so much for being the narrator of Japan that you are.

Expand full comment

Dear Peter, what a kind and generous comment. I have to admit it got me teary-eyed. Thank you for making my day. I wish you a wonderful day.

Expand full comment

Thank you! I’d love to go to Rebun island now. Maybe next year?

Meanwhile, I’m back in Itoshima. So hot yet with an ocean in which to cool off and sometimes a breeze.

Hope you find ways to keep cool in Tokyo.

Expand full comment

The weather was so good, but honestly Tokyo has not yet been terribly bad this year. It is bad but not like previous years when it was bad bad bad.

Expand full comment

Beautiful images. A Wild Sheep Chase was also my first Murakami novel. Unfortunately I've yet to make it to Hokkaido. Perhaps some day.

Expand full comment

Thank you Olli. I hope you get to visit Hokkaido. It has been so long that I read A Wild Sheep Chase so had to do some partial re-reading to refresh my memory :)

Expand full comment

Makes me wish we were going to Hokkaido! Will have to add these islands to my wish list.

Expand full comment

Truly a magical place, I hope you get to visit.

Expand full comment

How magically beautiful! Thank you for your newsletter. I often look at photos of Japan on Instagram, but this is better as we get information as well. My friend in Tokyo sent me this and it has made my day to receive your stories and pictures of Japan! So inspiring... I feel relaxed and happy to start my day now!

Expand full comment

Thank you for sharing such stunning pictures and impressions of Rebun island! I never knew there was such Alpine landscapes in Japan, besides those in Chubu. I also really liked reading your thoughts on Murakami's novel - I never read him, but A Wild Sheep Chase might be an interesting book to bring on a Hokkaido trip...

Expand full comment