Some days are loud… but this one wasn’t. This one was perfect. A slow start on the boat, followed by joining the Buren Bay community to clean the beach, a healthy lunch at Yadon Care at the tip of Uken Inlet, and a gentle sunset that seemed to say, “Well done today.” It reminds me that the smallest moments, solo silence, shared work, healthy food, quiet sunset, end up feeling like the big ones. These are the days that remind me to enjoy the moments and why it’s never too late to live with purpose, joy, and a bit of salt on your skin. #Longevity #BlueZoneJapan #BurenBay #OkinawaLife #HealthyAging #SlowLivingJapan #NeverTooLate #LiveLongLiveWell #BoatLifeJapan #CommunityMatters #BeachCleanup #IslandLifeJapan #Japan #boatlife #yadoncafe

Leaving Wahine for a few days and swapping ocean waves for academic ones. I’m heading to Tokyo for another IAFOR conference — this one focused on education, with nearly 800 delegates from 65 countries. IAFOR (The International Academic Forum — https://iafor.org) is a global, multicultural, interdisciplinary network that convenes scholars from around the world to advance research, dialogue, and innovation. I’ll also be meeting Professor Jim McNally, one of the world’s leading gerontologists and a beta reader for my new book. Looking forward to deep conversations on longevity… but first, a row to shore. 🚣‍♂️🌏 See you soon, Wahine. Tokyo, here we go. Check out @IaforOrg

I’ve spent the last two days tucked into Osaka, racing to finish the 4th draft of my new book — and somehow, miraculously, I wrapped it early ahead of a November 15th deadline. To celebrate, I wandered to a quiet corner of Dotonbori and found an outdoor café by the canal. As I settled in, a boat drifted past… carrying a live jazz band. New Orleans, floating through Japan. Completely unexpected. Completely perfect. After weeks of travel, interviews, and late-night writing, this moment felt like Osaka’s way of saying, “Good job. Take a breath.” Life is strange and beautiful. Especially in Japan. #Osaka #Japan #Dotonbori #Jazz #TravelJapan #AuthorLife #WritingJourney #BookInProgress #NeverTooLate #SlowTravel #Serendipity #CanalLife #UnexpectedJapan

I’m back in Hyōgo, walking through Toyooka — a place I once cycled with my family and our dog. Today I’m heading to Kyotango, known as Japan’s Capital City of Longevity and host of the recent Global Longevity Summit. I’ll be visiting a remarkable couple — he’s 97, she’s 92 — who still farm their land and run a guesthouse. Their story captures the spirit of lifelong purpose, movement, and community. Wish me luck — because it’s never too late to keep learning, and never too late to keep walking. #NeverTooLate #Longevity #Japan #Kyotango #Hyogo #HealthyAging #NeverTooLate #BlueZone #AgingWell #TravelJapan #FarmLife #Purpose #KeepWalking

This morning I joined a national ritual in the grounds of a Japanese castle — Morning Taiso. It’s a gentle stretch-and-strength routine familiar to every generation in Japan, but especially beloved by elders. One small detail I love: In modern life, most of us rarely raise our hands above our shoulders. Taiso fixes that — daily. A simple movement. A shared rhythm. The Art of Community. Try it… Lift your arms today. #Longevity #Japan #MorningTaiso

Good morning from the moat of Matsue Castle, where turtles bask, cherry trees sway, and history lingers in the quiet corners. I’ve just visited the former home of Lafcadio Hearn, the beloved storyteller who helped introduce Japan to the Western world in the late 19th century. Hearn was a foreigner here—just like me—and yet he was deeply embraced, not because of status or novelty, but because of his cultural curiosity and willingness to listen. His legacy reminds us that belonging in another culture begins with humility and respect. I understand why some people in Japan are experiencing a rise in discomfort around tourism—crowded streets, noise, and frayed public manners. Even I get irritated when people cut in line or talk loudly on trains. Yet in my own experience, I’ve rarely felt hostility. When foreigners arrive with sensitivity, Japan almost always responds with warmth. My personal connection to Hearn reaches across time—years ago, his great-nephew rented my house in Vancouver after I moved to Japan. Now, back in Matsue, I’m heading out to see the turtles, symbols of longevity—another thread in this journey. See you on the water. #Japan #LafcadioHearn #Matsue #MatsueCastle #ForeignersInJapan #Longevity #JapanTravel #CulturalExchange #TravelVlog #JapanCulture #BlueZonesJapan #SustainableTravel #SlowTravel #Storytelling #HistoryJapan

On my third research journey up the length of Japan, I’ve returned to Matsue Castle in Shimane Prefecture — the region that’s ranked number one in Japan for twelve consecutive years for the number of centenarians per 100,000 people. Just 48 hours ago, I left my boat in Amami, flew to Tokyo to surprise my son on his birthday, and then took two long trains to reach Shimane, where I’ll be spending the week writing, soaking up the atmosphere, and conducting more interviews for my upcoming book on longevity and community in Japan. A longer video is coming soon with updates from the past few months — including some sailing adventures — but for now, here’s a glimpse of where the next chapter of this journey unfolds. Remember, it’s never too late to get out and about.

In Japan, the art of community isn’t just practiced — it’s spoken. Words ending in -kai mean a gathering with purpose — turning intention into habit. From the 90-year-old “Granny of the Fields” in Aichi, to the 84-year-old café owner on Ama Island, to the elders of Okinawa — when asked their secret to a long, happy life, they all say the same: “I don’t worry.” If stress kills, then belonging heals. This kai is Undōkai — Sports Day — in the small inlet of Ukenson, Amami Island, where every generation dances together in one joyful circle. #LongevityAndTheArtOfCommunity #Japan #Undokai #AmamiIsland #NeverTooLate #BlueZoneJapan #Longevity #Community #Belonging #HealthyLongevity #AgingWell

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