Responding to La Vagabond: Why Sailors Skip Japan! #typhoons #language #bureaucracy

In this episode of Pacific Solo, I respond to the world-famous sailing channel La Vagabond and their recent video highlighting five reasons why more sailors don’t cruise to Japan. As someone who’s spent years exploring Japan’s incredible coastlines and remote islands, I have a unique perspective. Yes, Japan has its challenges—but it’s also a sailor's paradise with rewards you won’t find anywhere else.

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[coldwaterdive]

Great advice and commentary! I always appreciate your insights. I also love the illustrations you used in this video. Thanks!!!

[jackechan]

I appreciate your insights and support for the community.

[punlsjs]

Sounds like a great place. Thanks for sharing. I like to go where there are less crowds as far as boats in an anchorage and/or marina. Might have to make my way there.

[evaristomoura]

Japan and sailboats have always been a dream for me. I don't have any. 😄 Congratulations on your choices. Amazing❗❗❗

[RB]

"I had similar thoughts while watching the La Vagabond videos. With typhoons, the forecasting is advanced enough to see them coming well in advance, making it relatively easy to avoid them or even use their favorable conditions. As for Habu snakes, there are probably far fewer than the rumors suggest. Many people can’t actually tell a Habu from other common snakes, and 'Beware of Habu' signs are often put up more for crowd control than real danger. And yes, Japan likely invented bureaucracy, hierarchy, and paperwork. If you’re patient and cooperative, you’ll have a great experience. I believe the main reason Japan isn’t filled with cruisers is the distance. Language can be a challenge, but cruisers can help. More English-speaking visitors would give locals a chance to practice the English they ALL studied for three or more years in school."

[mystical]

Thank you for the local Knowledge. You are appreciated.

[animapulcra]

I have not seen the latest from LV nor do I have an intent (the adjective - not intend) to watch them, however on your true words what a visitor is expected to do I agree with your wisdom. Learn a few elementary parts of the language and honor the locals and their traditions while visiting. Afterall it is the visitor who went to visit. Your wisdom is gold as usual. All the best and good health to you sir.

[MonkPetite]

I’m willing to visit Japan but my trip must at least 3 months long.
Japan looks so beautiful and diverse that I can’t visit that country in a flash .
Thanks for sharing

[Haladmer]

Great info and thank you for the insight!

Personally, hearing folks from NZ/AU complaining about poisonous/dangerous creatures in Japan like they've never heard of such a thing will always be hilarious to me. I get it, having small children around the animals/insects is a risk, and I applaud them for taking that into consideration where their children are concerned... but doesn't make the idea of them voicing it any less amusing to me.

That said, was happy to hear everyone was okay after the collision, hopefully they are able to get everything sorted (especially after the fishing boat took responsibility)

[georgianasstudio]

My impression of Japan is that it is a very respectful country and I wouldn't fear their bureaucracy because I see it as a way of protecting everyone's safety and well being. In other countries I think the bureaucracy could be a problem.

[martinc]

thank you very much.I am drawn there somehow.

[Nill]

Well the new #1 issue appears to be, if a sailor incurs any kind of incident, far from home when we might need some help, as we all do over time, then the sailor is blamed, denigrated. This mindset can’t help but make any commercial traffic or port reckless and heedless of foreign flagged vessels and cruisers.

[stopato]

How much does it cost annually to keep a SV in Japan. For example in Izu?

[jasonmcintosh]

Thanks for the video. I always appreciate your opinions. Would have been nice to have heard a comment about their collision... but I guess your silence states the obvious: be careful wherever you go.

[SailingSVCordelia]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing your knowledge ⛵️

[AnthonyParr-dojk]

Not surprised you still haven't sold the 402 yet after bagging them in the past I love mine.

[jamesgraham]

At the last count I've visited 85 countries, mostly through work, over the past 50+ years.. now retired.. I find that the learning of a few words rarely works as the response is spoken using a hundred words that mean absolutely nothing :>) At least today we have smart-phones which enable us to tap out a question that is translated.. then the person helping can simply tap out a response, unless you're in Barcelona, the mugging capital of Europe, where they'll run off with your phone.. after mugging and robbing you.. which is why I avoid Barcelona 🤣

[bensteyn]

Theyr'e from Australia and worried about a few critters in Japan, one of the most benign countries in the world?

[tomjarecki]

Don't follow LVB but we are planning on cruising Japan in about 2 years time, so this video caught our attention. Thanks very much for your positive comments. Japan is on our way from SE Asia to North America and we are thinking of spending a year rather than only a few months; the typhoon and storm seasons make it pretty tight to sail from the Phillipines through Japan and on to Alaska in one season. We do know about Konpira Consulting but not about you - do you offer agent services as well? And is it reasonable for us to expect to cruise our sailboat for the entire year in Japan, picking the areas we cruise according to the time of year? Cheers, Tom

[virgilius]

Do you have more info about the collision they where in?