For nearly seven years, Wahine has been my home, my office, and my companion on an unforgettable journey around Japan. Now she is preparing for her next adventure. Next year, she'll cross the Pacific...without me. I'll explain more in the coming weeks as one chapter closes and another begins. Lowell Sheppard is an author, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Founder of the Never Too Late Academy, and Special Advisor to the International Academic Forum (IAFOR). He writes about longevity, community, purpose, and healthy aging across Japan. Learn more: https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/ JapanSolo #Sailing #Pacific #Adventure #Wahine #Japan #NeverTooLate #Longevity #NewBeginnings #sailing

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This week, Mitsu's 91-year-old mother, Chiharu, has joined us in Buren Bay. It's only the second time I've met her. The first was a few months ago when she came sailing with me aboard *Wahine*. Since then, Mitsu has become Wahine's owner and skipper, while I've remained here continuing my research into what it means to age well in this tiny island community. Day One After the long drive from the airport, we spent the evening sitting outside around an unlit campfire. It was simply too warm to light it. Chiharu picked up her ukulele, we sang together, shared a meal, and enjoyed one another's company. But what stayed with me wasn't the music. It was watching a 91-year-old mother and her adult son enjoying each other's company as genuine friends. I often think about the difference between a linear view of life and a circular one. In a linear world, older people gradually move to the edges. Here, Chiharu was neither being looked after nor simply being included. She was right at the center of the circle. Tomorrow: Radio Taiso at 6:30 a.m. PS Spending a week with Chiharu is something I've genuinely been looking forward to. She still lives independently, and over the coming days, you'll discover why she's become such an inspiration to me, from her music and morning routines to the way she relates to family, friends, and the community around her. These are simply small observations from everyday life. But perhaps it's in ordinary moments like these that we begin to understand why some people age so well. Please follow along on YT and Instagram for more short insights, and for a deeper dive, check out the blog at https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/ or the Defying the Red Zone Substack https://japansolo.substack.com/ #AgingWell #Longevity #community

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This is Day 2 of spending a week with 91-year-old Chiharu in my little longevity laboratory here in Buren Bay, Japan. It's only the second time we've met. The first was a few months ago when I took her sailing aboard Wahine. Today, Wahine belongs to her son Mitsu, while I remain here continuing my research into longevity and the art of community. Today's highlights included: • Sunrise Radio Taiso • Breakfast together • Mitsu catching our supper • Haiku over lunch • Snorkeling in the bay • Supper together • A mountaintop sunset • Skateboarding • High fives What strikes me isn't just that Chiharu can still do these things at 91. It's that she wants to. She approaches each part of the day with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a readiness to join in. These are only small observations from everyday life, but they continue to shape the questions I'm asking about what it really means to age well. Tomorrow... Day 3. Read more at: https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/blog #Longevity #HealthyAging #Community #Japan #JapanSolo #AgingWell #ActiveAging

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