Blue skies. A sparkling coastline. A secret beach for a midday dip. This is sailing in Japan — beautiful, empty, almost untouched. In the Med or Caribbean, this would be crowded with yachts. Here, I counted just two others in the harbor. That’s what makes Japan so special to sail: endless coastlines, remote beaches, and the feeling you’ve stumbled into your own private paradise. #SailingJapan #SecretBeaches #liveaboard

Could they be the land equivalent of JetSkiers? :) in terms of sound pollution? Three more days and I am back on board Wahine. check out more videos at @pacificsolo.com

Day 5 in Tokyo. I am away from Wahine for 6 weeks, having family time and writing and working. This is my second stint in Tokyo this summer. The city is sweltering—hot, humid, relentless. But even here, in a place that never sleeps, there's value in stillness. In this reflective moment, I take a break from the motion—no meetings, no walking, no talking—just watching the river, the skyline, and letting the mind breathe. Sometimes, part of forward motion is knowing when to pause. for more videos of slow travel in japan subscribe to @PacificSolo #MindfulMoments, #Japan #TokyoSkytre

Goodbye, Wahine… for now. I’m heading to mainland Japan for a few weeks to work on the second draft of my book and continue research. Life aboard a sailboat, especially in typhoon season, means constant prep. She’s secured, bug-bombed (yuck), and floating in Buren Bay by an abandoned Pearl Farm. I paddled ashore on Mitsu’s SUP just before the fumes kicked in. Boat life teaches adaptability. Writer’s life demands solitude and space. This journey blends both. I’ll be back in a few weeks. Drafts three, four, and five await. Subscribe to follow this unusual rhythm of sea, solitude, and storytelling. And if you are a Never Too Later, check out my books and blogs at https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/dare-to-dream #BoatLife #WritersLife #NeverTooLate

How does the Zero Breeze Mark 2 really hold up after 2 years on a boat in Japan’s heat and humidity? I’ve been using mine on my sailboat Wahine as a portable air conditioner during typhoon prep and writing retreats. I’m not a tech guy, so setup took some getting used to—but I’m mostly pleased. Here’s my honest take: - Battery lasts 5–7 hours - Power draw: 150–240 watts I had battery issues early on, but the company replaced it. I give it a 7.5–8/10 I really like the design and portability, the battery slides neatly under the unit, which you can see in the video. But I suspect that’s what caused my first battery to fail. Condensation from the AC may have dripped down into the battery unit. And that battery? It costs nearly as much as the AC itself. It’s been essential for me as a writer, especially during Japan’s humid summers. I usually cool just one berth so I have a space to work and sleep comfortably, protected from the worst of the heat and moisture. No, they haven’t paid me to say any of this. I just know how useful honest reviews can be for off-grid or boat life folks. #boatlife #portableairconditioner #writerslife

There’s a typhoon in the forecast—at least according to one of the weather models—and it could sweep right over Amami next week. So it’s prep time aboard Wahine. Today I’m taking down the jib sail, adding fenders, securing gear, and making sure both inside and out are storm-ready. It’s a strangely calm and beautiful morning. Perfect weather… for storm prep. ANd a pleasant break from writing. Living on a boat along in a Bay by a remote Japanese village means you don’t just watch the forecast, you respect it. Join me for a short glimpse into the practical side of slow living at sea: a mix of solitude, muscle memory, and quiet readiness. 🎥 Shot on location in Buren Village, Amami Oshima 🌸 Part of the Never Too Late Longevity Project 📚 From the author of A Journey Beyond the Blue Zone #TyphoonPrep #BoatLifeJapan #AmamiOshima #SailingJapan #RemoteIslandLife #NeverTooLate #PacificSolo #SoloSailing #StormReady #CalmBeforeTheStorm #JibSail #TyphoonSeason #JapanWeather #LifeAtSea #BlueZoneJapan #boatlife #japan #solosailor

Cardio at 70+? You bet. Onboard Wahine, I naturally get upper body workouts, just by doing what I have to do. However, cardio and leg workouts are not as significant. So, now that my foldable bike is fixed, I’m riding the hills around Buren Bay, with Wahine moored just behind me. Life on a boat doesn’t offer much cardio, especially in the summer heat, so I’m glad to be sweating again (yes, even in Japan's humidity!). As my doctor once said: “If you’re sweating, you’re winning.” That’s the goal today, and most days. Never too late to move. Never too late to sweat. Never too late. 📍Filmed in Buren Bay, Japan 🇯🇵 🔔 Subscribe for more life-on-the-water inspiration, longevity tips, and slow adventure stories from Japan and beyond. #boatlife #japan #travel #liveaboard

After a weekend of sea swims, waterfalls, sailing and laughter, the family heads home, and I return to my floating solitude in Buren Bay. Read the full reflection in this week’s blog post: https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/blog/what-a-week #NeverTooLate #SlowLiving #BoatLife #JapanLife #FamilyTime #CherryBlossomJourney #BurenBay #Gratitude #AgingWell #LifeAt70 #boatlife #birthday #waterfall

It’s a hot evening, so supper’s being cooked outside—simple chicken, spinach, and potatoes under the open sky. I’m using the mug my brother gave me from caribou country, where he’s living his dream in a tiny house with his wife Tracy. The heat may have shifted things, but the rhythm of life afloat remains. Sunset. Supper. A slow return to the quiet joy of the boat life. 📍 Filmed aboard Wahine | Never Too Late Academy / Pacific Solo #NeverTooLate #SailingLife #BoatLife #OffGridLiving #SimpleLiving #WahineChronicles #SunsetDinner #CookingOutside #TinyHomeOnWater #LifeAfloat #PacificSolo #boatlife #travel #sailingjapan

I’ve had severe allergic reactions to bee stings—so when I heard fake dragonflies might ward them off, I ordered six off Amazon. They’re going up on my sailboat as a kind of quirky defense system. Should I name them? And… what eats dragonflies anyway? 🐝🛥️🐉 This little moment is part of life aboard as I travel Japan’s remote coastlines and explore what it means to live well and live long. From fear of bee stings to going beyond Blue Zones—it’s all part of the adventure. 🎥 Filmed aboard Wahine in one of Japan’s hidden harbors. 📚 Part of the Journey Beyond the Blue Zone series. Comment below if you’ve ever used natural (or unnatural) pest deterrents—or if you have great names for dragonfly bodyguards! For more videos of my boat life in remote japan at @PacificSolo on YouTube #BoatLife #BlueZoneJourney #SailingJapan #AllergyAwareness #FakeDragonflies #WahineChronicles #LongevityLab #RemoteJapan #SailingSafety #NatureHack #naturehacks #travel

Morning chores on the boat never end — especially after a good downpour! 🌧 Today in Buren Bay, it’s me, a bucket, and about 30 liters of rainwater in the dinghy. If only I had my jerry cans… A salty little reminder that even solo, you can still show up and get it done — one scoop at a time. 🎥 Shot in Buren Bay, my floating home base in Japan’s remote Amami Islands. 📚 Curious about the project I'm working on? Check out my latest book journey on longevity and slow travel: 👉 https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/p... 🙏 Thanks to my patrons and sponsors who help make these short videos possible. #japan #sailing #travel

Soaked, smiling, and stepping ashore. I actually like the rain, but later today a gale is going to glow and I have writing to do so I am moving my `writing room` ashore this morning to Mitsu`s house which is near the boat. Life on a sailboat means embracing the weather, the waves, and the occasional soaking. Whether you're provisioning, exploring, or just stretching your legs, shore missions always come with a story. This one left me drenched, but smiling. It's all part of the rhythm of life aboard Wahine. 🎥 Subscribe for more from Japan’s coastlines: @pacificsolo 🌐 Learn more: www.nevertoolateacademy.com #PacificSolo #GoingAshore #BoatLife #SailingJapan #WetLanding #DinghyDiaries #CruisingLife #LiveaboardLife #NeverTooLate #SailingAdventure #WahineSailboat #SlowTravel #writerslife #writer #boatlife #japan

Sometimes all it takes is a splash of cold water to reset your mind. In this off-grid moment from the edge of Japan, I share a simple nightly ritual — a recycled PET bottle, a roadside breeze, and a reminder that creativity often flows best when we stop trying so hard. It’s not about luxury. It’s about resetting — physically, mentally, creatively. Whether it’s a walk, a cold rinse, or just looking up from your screen, find your way to recalibrate. Because clarity rarely arrives on a schedule. Subscribe for more slow living insights, sailing life reflections, and longevity wisdom from the coastlines of Japan. #author #sailing #boatlife

Morning from Buren Bay! I just inflated my SUP (with mixed success), and I’m heading ashore for provisions thanks to Mitsu kindly lending me his car. A Canadian sailing couple has arrived nearby—always nice to see new faces out here. It’s a typical day of small adventures and daily logistics from life aboard Wahine. Whether it’s figuring out how to cap the SUP without losing half the air or rowing 400 meters to shore, life afloat keeps you humble. Thanks for following the journey—more updates from the Blue Zone coming soon! #BoatLife, #SailingJapan, #LiveAboard, #SUPFail, #NeverTooLate, #BlueZoneJourney, #MorningUpdate, #SoloSailor, #WahineSails, #InflatableSUP

Brian and I just left Wahine after a very gentle evening on the water. Brian's off to Nagasaki. I'm off tomorrow as well. And we'll rendezvous again in Shimane with Tyler and Julia, the Ramona Rae crew. Bye-bye, Wahine. #japan #sailing #travel #ramonarae #shimane

We completed Leg One of Voyage, Heading to Tokyo for 70th Birthday and Gerontology Conference First Mate Ian is staying on board and I'm heading to Tokyo for a 70th birthday celebration and to attend a gerontology conference where I'm on the organizing committee. I'm also there to support a keynote speaker who I helped get a book published. Next, I'll be traveling from Kagoshima to Shimane, the only prefecture I haven't been to yet, and I plan to try to visit as many prefectures as possible by boat, on foot, or other means. #Okinawa #Kagoshima #Amami #sailing #Japan #Uken #70thbirthday Birthday

When I come into port, there are many, many cats. This time, one showed a particular interest in what I was doing. #digitalnomad #sailing #cats #cat

On our northward trek, I would like to avoid overnight passages if possible. So I discussed with Ian and an on board, and we plan to pull into Ieshima, which we plan to visit for a night, and possibly Yoron the next day. I aim to get to Sakurajima for my birthday on March 20th and then follow the cherry blossoms north. #PacificSolo #NeverTooLateAcademy #NorthwardTrek #ieshima shima #Yoron #Sakurajima #CherryBlossoms #sailing #japan #Ieshima

Brrr, it’s cold out there! In this video, I'm leaving Wahine and heading to Osaka for an exciting marathon and some cherished family time. Despite the chill, the journey is heating up—after Osaka, I'll return to Okinawa before setting sail for a few months-long adventure chasing the cherry blossoms along the length of Japan. Join me as I blend the thrill of marathon running, the warmth of family reunions, and the serene beauty of Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms into one epic voyage. #OsakaMarathon #CherryBlossomChasing #SailingJapan #OkinawaAdventure #JapanJourney #FamilyTime #ColdWeatherRun #MarathonAdventure #JapaneseCherryBlossoms #TravelJapan #sailing #adventure

Stay tuned for more updates on both the Osaka Marathon and the upcoming season of Chasing the Cherry Blossom 2. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more adventures from Japan! #marathon #coldfront #japan #sailing