It’s not because it’s July 4th that I’m staying on shore — I’m Canadian.
But something curious is happening here in Japan.
Tourists are cancelling their trips because of a decades-old manga prediction about a disaster on July 5th — and oddly en...
"I`m Not Dying. Not Yet".
This week, just after the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, holds layers of meaning for me.
- Six years ago, I moved aboard Wahine and launched the Pacific Solo dream.
- 39 Years ago this week, we welcomed our firs...
Maintenance My Way.
Some people are wired for repairs. I’m… not one of them.
Today I’m rowing ashore to get my broken Zero Breeze air conditioner looked at (and its stubborn battery). Thankfully, my friend Martin is an electrical wizard—because my...
Cardio at 70+? You bet.
On the Boat I naturally get upper body workouts, jsut but doing what I have to do. But cardio and leg movements not so much. So, now that my foldable bike is fixed, I’m riding the hills around Buren Bay, with Wahine moored just ...
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
#NeverT...
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 m...
25 years ago, I began an epic 3,000 km bicycle journey the length of Japan—chasing cherry blossoms from south to north.
On Day One, I rode 125 km to Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and a symbol of resilience. I turned 70 recently, and...
Taking out the trash isn’t always straightforward—especially when you live on a sailboat, anchored off a remote Japanese hamlet.
In this short glimpse, I row ashore to meet the garbage man and navigate the very local—and very specific—rules of Jap...
Welcome to Pacific Solo, where I, Lowell Sheppard, share my sailing adventures and discoveries around Japan. Initially, my goal was to sail across the Pacific solo before turning 70, but that journey is on permanent hold due to unforeseen circumstances. No...
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 anyw...
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 s...
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 embrac...
I’m off the boat and getting my steps in—aiming for 10K today while I’m on land.
When you live on a sailboat, it’s easy to stay confined, and my doctor reminded me: daily walking is non-negotiable.
Tonight’s route takes me past one of Japan’s ...
After four years and 80+ ports, and a failed attempt to realize a dream to cross the pacific Solo before I am 70, I’m charting a new course, for myself, my boat and this channel.
In this update, I reveal three big announcements: the future of my sailboa...
Nightly Ritual Aboard Wahine — Peace of Mind Under the Stars
Before I sleep each night on my sailboat in Japan, I follow a quiet rhythm—a ritual that brings calm and clarity.
First I take a quick outdoor shower under the stars, a reminder of the beau...
I'm up early to row my tender ashore to pick up new glasses before the winds pick up! Life on the water always keeps you moving—and today, that includes braving the swell. Stay tuned: I have some important announcements coming soon about me, my boat Wahi...
Rainy season has arrived in Japan, and that means humid days, provisioning missions, and rowing a few hundred meters to shore. Life on a boat, currently in the middles of remote Bay, isn’t glamorous, but it’s rich in rhythm, reflection, and a good w...
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...
Only one week left to pre-order A Journey Beyond the Blue Zone — my 10th and most personal book yet.
From the deck of my sailboat in Japan’s Blue Zone to cherry blossom-covered castles in the mountains, I’ve spent the past year chasing the secrets o...
I ’m back in full writing mode, working on my next major video—where I’ll be revealing news about the future :
• For me
• For my boat,
• For this channel
In the meantime, life in Buren Bay continues:
- I’m relying on a tender again, and af...
A peaceful evening in Buren Bay aboard Wahine. After a shower and supper, I take a quiet 360° look around the anchorage—glassy water, Mitsu’s boat, a generous loaned tender, and my inflatable paddleboard. Sometimes, it’s these calm, ordinary moments...
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 d...
This is Leg 2 of my Journey Beyond the Blue Zone. I visit Ama Island in Shimane Prefecture — a Longevity Hotspot with Japan’s highest number of centenarians — and reunite with my friends Tyler and Julia.
One year ago, Tyler and Julia sailed their In...
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