Diplomat and long-distance cruiser Nicholas Coghlan had been curious about Japan ever since his father, a veteran of infantry fighting in Italy and Greece, confessed to him a dread of being sent to the Japanese front when the war in Europe ended in the Spring of 1945.

Sailing to the Heart of Japan is a sailing adventure and a how-to guide about sailing to and throughout the coastal waters of Japan. It contains both the story of the author’s visit as well as an appendix with cruising notes and detailed references for others thinking about embarking on a similar adventure.

Starting from New Zealand, Nicholas and his partner Jenny navigate Bosun Bird, their Vancouver 27, north through Pacific Island nations where memories of war linger. They make their landfall on Kyushu, in southwestern Japan.  Over a period of fifteen months, they venture to the remote and depopulated archipelago of Goto Retto in the East China Sea, through Kanmon Kaikyo narrows and into the island-studded Inland Sea.

The book is also about experiencing the unique and ancient Japanese culture. According to Coghlan, “In 70,000 miles (about 112654 km) of ocean cruising, Bosun Bird and her crew have never met with such kindness and hospitality as we did in Japan.”

The book comprises 242 pages, including 54 black and white illustrations (in colour in the e-version), nine maps, weather advice, tips on formalities, plus detailed descriptions of 60+ anchorages/mooring locations.

The volume is available on Amazon.

By Nicholas Coghlan

Publisher:‎ Seaworthy Publications, Incorporated (June 5, 2024)