May 1st marks the beginning of Golden Week in Japan—a time for travel, rest, and celebration. But there’s another side to this season. After the beauty of cherry blossoms and the excitement of new beginnings, some experience what’s known as “May sickness”—a sense of fatigue or disappointment. I see it more in cities, among younger and working populations. In rural areas, and among older generations, life often feels more seasonal… more cyclical. Less about constant forward movement. More about living with the rhythm of life. Another Field Note from Japan. About me: I’m Lowell Sheppard, 71, sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Through Japan Solo Field Notes, I explore aging, place, and community across Japan. follow Japan Solo on Instagram and Substack and check out the Never Too Late Academy https://nevertoolateacademy.com #Japan #GoldenWeek #MaySickness #JapanSolo #JapaneseCulture #LifeLessons #Longevity #Community #SlowLiving #JapanLife

I took a 91-year-old woman sailing. She came with four generations of her family—the youngest just one year old. She lives independently, plays golf and tennis, writes haiku… and told her son she wants to get her captain’s license. At 91. Most of my work explores aging, place, and community in Japan. This is what “still moving forward” looks like. I’m Lowell Sheppard, 71 — sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Founder of the Never Too Late Academy and Senior Adviser to the International Academic Forum. After seven years of Pacific Solo, I’m continuing the journey across Japan — exploring longevity, community, and what it means to live well over time. → https://nevertoolateacademy.com

The "Pacific Solo" journey has concluded, making way for an exciting new chapter: The Longevity Project with the Never Too Late Academy. I will feature field notes on this channel now called Japan Solo. I'll continue traveling to explore healthy aging and research behaviors and mindsets in longevity hotspots. This channel will keep documenting the journey, focusing on successful aging and how to age well. Coming up next. A day on the water with a 91-year-old! I’m Lowell Sheppard, 71 — sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Founder of the Never Too Late Academy and Senior Adviser to the International Academic Forum. After seven years of Pacific Solo, I’m continuing the journey across Japan — exploring longevity, community, and what it means to live well over time. → https://nevertoolateacademy.com #LongevityProject #JapanSolo #Longevity #NewChapter #FieldNotes

Pacific Solo is gone. Long live Japan Solo! After seven years and nearly 400 videos, Pacific Solo comes to an end. What began as a journey by boat became something much broader — about challenge, community, fear, and learning. Thank you to everyone who followed along, supported the channel, Pacific Solo sponsors and all shared the journey. A new chapter begins. Japan Solo: exploring, aging, community, and place I’m Lowell Sheppard, 71 — sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Founder of the Never Too Late Academy and Senior Adviser to the International Academic Forum. After seven years of Pacific Solo, I’m continuing the journey across Japan — exploring longevity, community, and what it means to live well over time. → https://nevertoolateacademy.com #PacificSolo #SailingLife #SlowTravel #NewChapter #FieldNotes

After nearly two years researching and writing Longevity and the Art of Community: Lessons from Japan, I thought I’d be ready to let it go. But this book isn’t letting me go. One question keeps coming back. Early in my journey, my mentor and colleague in the International Academic Forum, Dr James McNally, a renowned gerontologist, said to me: “You may be studying the last cohort of superagers in Japan.” That stayed with me. So I went looking for the data—cross-referencing research with my own observations across the country. He might be right.. And if he is, the implications are significant. Not just for Japan. But for all of us. I wrote a blog piece of what I have found so far. https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/post/is-japan-producing-its-last-cohort-of-super-agers I’m Lowell Sheppard, 71, sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. I’m the Founder of the Never Too Late Academy and Special Advisor to the International Forum. Through Japan Solo, I’m exploring longevity, community, and what it means to live well at every stage of life. #Japan #Longevity #Superagers #Aging #HealthyAging #LifeLessons #JapanSolo #Research #Ikigai #Community #NeverTooLate #BlueZones

I arrived in Tokyo to mark the end of one chapter—and the beginning of another. After seven years of Pacific Solo, I’m stepping into Japan Solo. But before I do, I’m reminded of something an old sailor told me when I first began. Three simple pieces of advice. Don’t fall overboard. Stay calm. And when the storm comes… remember—you chose this. Those lessons carried me through years at sea. And they still apply now. About me: I’m Lowell Sheppard, 71, sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. I’m the Founder of the Never Too Late Academy and Special Advisor to the International Forum. After years living aboard my boat Wahine, I’m now beginning a new journey across Japan exploring longevity, purpose, and what it means to live well at every stage of life. #Japan #JapanSolo #PacificSolo #LifeLessons #Sailing #Motivation #Longevity #NeverTooLate #Tokyo #NewBeginnings #PersonalGrowth #Mindset

Like many people in Japan and around the world, I was saddened by the recent boating tragedy off Henoko in Okinawa, where a 17-year-old high school student and a 71-year-old captain lost their lives. I’ve been asked by many viewers to comment—particularly in comparison to the La Vagabonde incident. These are very different situations, and in this video I aim to clarify what matters: the legal framework, the captain's role, weather advisories, and the shared responsibility of everyone who steps on board. This story also resonates with me personally. I am a 71-year-old captain of a small vessel. I have served on the board of a school. And I am a grandfather whose grandson goes on school trips like this. The captain's age in this case has also raised important questions—especially in a country like Japan, where people remain active, licensed, and engaged well into later life. Experience brings wisdom, but it does not remove risk. This is not about assigning blame. It is about understanding responsibility—legal, cultural, and practical—and how safety at sea depends on every link in the chain. If this video helps even one person think more carefully before stepping on board, it will have served its purpose. — Lowell Lowell Sheppard is a sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, sharing insights on longevity, community, and life in Japan through the Pacific Solo channel and Never Too Late Academy. #BoatSafety #Japan #Okinawa #Seamanship #MarineSafety #PacificSolo #Longevity #HealthyAging #JapanLife #Leadership

Like many people in Japan and around the world, I was deeply saddened by the recent boating tragedy in Okinawa, where a 17-year-old student and a 71-year-old captain lost their lives. A number of you have reached out asking questions—especially in comparison to the La Vagabonde incident. These are very different situations. In this short video, I share a few immediate thoughts and explain why I’ll be releasing a longer video soon to clarify: the legal requirements for boats and captains in Japan what a weather advisory really means and what good seamanship looks like for everyone on board This topic is personal for me. I’m a sailor. I’m 71 years old. I’ve served on the board of a high school. And I’m a grandfather whose grandson goes on school trips. I’m also recording this while attending a conference on aging here in Tokyo—which adds another layer to how I think about responsibility and judgment. More to come soon. In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and all those affected.

This morning I leave Wahine, my boat in Buren Bay on Amami Ōshima, for a few weeks. The next month will take me to an international aging and gerontology conference organized by the International Academic Forum @iaformedia, a birthday gathering with family visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, and a meeting with my literary agent following the London Book Fair to learn the fate of my next book. When I return, this channel will begin its next chapter — focusing more intentionally on the search for the secrets of living long and well in Japan. Part of the Never Too Late Academy Longevity Project. https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/ Field Notes on Longevity, Community & Place. #JapanSolo #Longevity #SlowTravelJapan #HealthyAging #NeverTooLate #IAFOR #iafor

Next week, Japan hosts an international conference on plastic pollution. I won’t be in the room, but I live at the waterline. From here, plastic pollution isn’t abstract. It’s mechanical. It’s physical. It can be dangerous. A discarded fishing net once wrapped around my prop shaft and nearly sank my boat. Garbage is borderless. Ocean currents don’t recognize nations. As the conference unfolds in Tokyo, I’ll be watching through the lens of sustainability, stewardship, and what I call The Art of Community — how we treat what belongs to all of us. These are field notes from the waterline as it connects with my upcoming book Longevity and the Art of Community: Lessons from Japan. #PlasticPollution #OceanPlastic #Sustainability #Japan #GlobalCommons #ArtOfCommunity #WaterlineWitness #OceanStewardship #PlasticTreaty #UNEP

In 2025, I set out to follow the cherry blossoms the length of Japan by boat. What unfolded instead was a slower journey through Japan’s longevity hotspots, rural communities, and places where people live long, steady, independent lives. A look back at turning seventy, changing course, and learning—through observation and movement—what it means to keep going without rushing and writing a book. A new chapter is forming. More will be shared in the spring. Thanks to @wAQmkHmsvY/edit for the drone footage. #japan #turning70 #travel

A quick check after rowing out to Wahine. No water flowing from the engine is never a good sign, so I pulled the impeller plate to inspect it for damage. A bit of crud inside, but the impeller itself looked fine. While I was there, I cleaned the starter and related components to make sure everything was working as it should. Reassembled, crossed fingers… and the engine fired up with water flowing normally again. One of those small boat moments that ends with relief. #BoatLife, #SailingLife, #EngineCheck, #LifeAfloat, #PacificSolo, #BoatMaintenance

I rowed out to my boat Wahine and found some good news - the bilge is dry and the battery is fully charged thanks to the sun. However, I discovered potential engine problems that could be basic maintenance issues or a fuel line problem. Additionally, my seawater intake might be clogged with barnacles since no seawater is coming out when I start the engine. Because of these issues, I've decided not to move the boat today and am heading back ashore to get supplies. #BoatLife #Wahine #EngineMaintenance #SailingProblems #BoatRepair #Barnacles #MarineLife #BoatOwner #DIYBoating

Meet Mitsuharu Kume — the closest real-world equivalent I’ve ever found to Kevin Costner’s “Mariner” from Waterworld. He may not have gills (that I know of), but he has everything else: a life shaped by tides, storms, shipwrecks, deep dives, and a lifelong devotion to the ocean. Mitsu is a fisherman, diver, sailor, photographer, conservationist, educator, and a father. He began life as a marine civil engineer designing harbours in Tokyo… but quickly realised he didn’t want to design the ocean — he wanted to live in it. So he left the office, joined an offshore fishing boat, and never looked back. During his years on Tanegashima he became deeply involved in sea turtle conservation and launched Sea Turtle Crew, an NPO dedicated to protecting loggerhead turtles and teaching island children about the marine world they inherit. 👉 www.turtle-crew.com Today, Mitsu is preparing a 33-foot Coura (a 1969 Ranger 33) to follow the turtles’ ancient route to Mexico. 🌊 Buren Bay — Our Harbour, Our Community Buren Bay is more than the mooring point for my sailboat, Wahine. It is my longevity laboratory, my home for reflection and writing… and the home of Mitsu — the unofficial Commodore of our tiny, informal yacht harbour. Living beside him has taught me more than any textbook, lecture, or seminar ever could. He has helped me navigate treacherous weather, introduces me to the community, and on stormy days when reaching my boat is “adventurous,” he offers me his guest room. 🌿 Lessons From Mitsu Our conversations on the steps of his vintage seaside home drift from philosophy to nonsense, from purpose to parenting, from seamanship to gratitude. He reminds me to be brave. To be kind. To work hard. To respect the sea. And to stay rooted: in family, in community, in responsibility. His 92-year-old mother — sharp, independent, living life on her own terms — embodies the resilience I’ve spent two years studying on my journey across Japan. We all need a Mitsu in our life — someone who keeps us honest, grounded, and moving forward under full sail. thanks to Mitsu for providing some of the footage 🌏 Learn more about Mitsu’s sea turtle conservation work: ➡️ www.turtle-crew.com 00:00 – Meet Mitsu: Japan’s Real-Life “Waterworld” Mariner 00:36 – A Life Lived in and on the Ocean 01:12 – From Tokyo Engineer to Offshore Fisherman 01:49 – Survival Stories: Sinking Boats and Deep Waters 02:27 – Tanegashima & The Birth of Sea Turtle Crew 03:05 – Protecting Japan’s Loggerhead Turtles 03:42 – A Sailor’s Dream: Preparing to Cross to Mexico 04:13 – Patagonia, Vegetable Oil Vans & Island Education 04:48 – Life in Buren Bay: Wahine, Community & Friendship 05:28 – Mitsu’s Wisdom: Family, Purpose & Living Fully 06:07 – Lessons Learned Beside a Mountain Stream 06:42 – The 92-Year-Old Mother Who Still Inspires 07:15 – Why We All Need a Mitsu in Our Life If your video ends earlier or later, I can adjust timestamps—just #Japan #Okinawa #Amami #BurenBay #SailingLife #OceanConservation #SeaTurtles #LoggerheadTurtles #Waterworld #MitsuharuKume #LongevityProject #PacificSolo #NeverTooLateAcademy #JapanStories #SailboatLife #IslandLifeJapan

While grabbing a bite to eat near my “Longevity Laboratory” here in Amami, my mate Matt Pride of Amami Adventures spotted a sign with the funniest—and surprisingly insightful—comparison between 18-year-olds and 81-year-olds. Matt’s Japanese is better than mine, so he translated it. Someone in this little town definitely has a sense of humour. Here’s the wisdom from the sign: 18-year-old: drives fast down the road 81-year-old: drives the wrong way down the road 18-year-old: weak heart 81-year-old: weak bones 18-year-old: doesn’t know anything 81-year-old: doesn’t remember anything 18-year-old: worries about exam scores 81-year-old: worries about blood sugar & blood pressure 18-year-old: falls in love 81-year-old: falls in the bath 18-year-old: fights with exams 81-year-old: fought with America Basically: At 18, you’re searching for yourself. At 81, you’ve finally found yourself. Japan does longevity with grace, grit… and very good humour. The art of community lives even in the signs by the roadside. Check out Matt at @amamiadventures #boatlife #writerslife #japan

After visiting 14 prefectures, spending time in Japan’s longevity hotspots, and interviewing some remarkable people, I’m finally back in Amami — and heading back to my boat tomorrow. I’ve just completed the fourth draft of my new book on longevity and it’s now with a small group of beta readers. Soon I’ll begin writing the fifth draft. This morning I’m in Naze, taking my usual Japanese-style walk, and like so many parks across the country, people are already out playing gateball. It happens every morning. I’ve chatted with them — they’re genki, energetic, and committed to gathering with friends for movement and fun. Radio Taiso is part of that rhythm too. Pickleball is growing in Japan, and I feature it in my book’s “future trends” chapter, but for now gateball remains the number one morning activity for community, connection, and gentle exercise. It’s good to be back — both in Amami and soon on my boat. Thanks for following along, even during the months with less sailing content. More to come as I settle back into boat life and continue this journey across Japan’s Blue Zones and beyond. Have a great day everyone. #gateball #pickleball #japan

Japanese Walking isn’t just a TikTok trend — it actually has two distinct forms: 1) Traditional Japanese Walking A slow, steady, mindful style practiced by samurai and long-distance walkers. Arms and legs on the same side move together (right arm + right leg), unlike Western walking where opposite limbs synchronize. It’s designed for endurance, posture, and quiet efficiency over long distances. 2) Modern “Japanese Walking” (Fitness Craze) A new workout trending abroad: - 3 minutes at ~40% effort - 3 minutes at ~70% effort → Repeated for about 30 minutes It blends intervals with relaxed aerobic movement for a simple, accessible cardio routine. Both celebrate movement as a daily practice — one rooted in history, the other in modern fitness. #JapaneseWalking #SamuraiWalking #Longevity #Tokyo #WalkingWorkout #HealthTips #JapanLife #BlueZones #MindfulMovement #japan #fitness #longevity

Still away from my boat, I’m in Shibuya, Tokyo, standing beside the iconic Moyai statue, a gift from Niijima Island. Years ago, I sailed there by chance and found these statues all across the island—modern interpretations of the Moai of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). What’s fascinating is how three very different “moai” traditions share a common heartbeat: community, protection, and social connection. ---- Rapa Nui Moai (Easter Island) The original monoliths honored ancestors, believed to watch over and protect communities. Their creation required enormous collective effort — a symbol of shared purpose. ----- Niijima Moyai (Tokyo / Niijima Island) Inspired by Easter Island, these statues also play on Japanese word meanings: moyai = to moor a boat moyai = to gather / work together They embody community and coming together. ----- Okinawa Moai (Social Circles) In Okinawa, moai are lifelong social groups — mutual support networks sharing resources, friendship, and emotional care. Scholars say they help prevent kodokushi — lonely death, especially among elders. It’s no wonder Okinawa is a global longevity hotspot. Community is not an accessory, it’s a survival skill. These layers of meaning inspired my new book, Longevity and the Art of Community: Lessons from Japan. From Easter Island to Niijima to Okinawa, the message is the same: We live longer when we live together. Pretty cool, eh? See you next time. Back to the Boat soon. #Moai #Moyai #Tokyo #Shibuya #Okinawa #Community #Longevity #BlueZones #JapanCulture #EasterIsland #Niijima #Kodokushi #HealthyAging #NeverTooLate

I have been away from my boat for two weeks and am wrapping up this leg of research in Japan’s longevity hotspots. After speaking with locals, experts, and elders, one truth keeps rising to the surface: longevity begins in the mind. Yes—diet, movement, and microbiome all matter. But Japan has taught me that mindset may matter most. In English, we speak of the Fountain of Youth. In Japan, there is 清心の泉 (Seishin-no-Izumi)—the inner spring of a clear, spirited heart. It isn’t something you travel to find. It’s something you cultivate within. As I finalize the fourth draft of my new book and begin the fifth, this idea is becoming central: Longevity is less about defying time and more about nourishing the inner spark. Follow along as this journey continues. #Longevity #Mindset #SeishinNoIzumi #BlueZones #AgingWell #Japan #LongevityMindset #HealthyAging #NeverTooLate #LongevitySecrets #FountainOfYouth #HealthyLongevity #JapanCulture #InnerStrength

I traveled to Kyotango in Kyoto Prefecture — a community with three times Japan’s national average of centenarians — to meet the people behind the statistics. From proactive health checks to a humorous breakfast song… and finally, a 97-year-old husband with a cheeky secret to long life — this visit reminded me that longevity isn’t only about diet or data. It’s about culture, connection, purpose… and joy. Full story coming soon in my book: A Journey Beyond the Blue Zone. #NeverTooLate #Longevity #BlueZone #Japan #Kyotango #HealthyAging #NeverTooLate #HealthyLife #Centenarian #JapanLife #LiveLonger