I am delighted to be Japan PO so I can help OCC members appreciate the many reasons why Japan is one of the world's great cruising grounds -- friendly, helpful people; rich culture and history; beautiful scenery; numerous moorage options; great food; and much more. I arrived here after a solo Pacific crossing from Canada (via Hawaii) for a planned two-year Japan circumnavigation (first ever by a foreigner)...which ended up taking three years....then I spent three more years cruising western Japan. I married a local woman (who manages Japan's largest network of marinas) and so have settled here permanently. I recently "swallowed the anchor" and have launched a marine-tourism business to support other cruisers, organise yacht charters and kayak tours, support local marinas, etc. (special discounts and use of a free dock in the Seto Inland Sea available to OCC members). I look forward to welcoming you to Japan!!