DJ SET · MELODIC HOUSE
SAIL Canary Islands
A musical journey through the Canary Islands. Performing as SAIL, Anton chooses music that follows the landscape, the light and the mood of each place.
Watch on YouTube ↗Why Japan
Japan was the fiftieth country I visited, and it became my favourite. It found a place deep in my heart. I kept coming back, getting to know it a little better, and each visit made me want to share what I was discovering.
I wanted to see life beyond the familiar route through Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. To reach small islands, sail into local harbours and meet people whose homes I might otherwise never have visited. And I wanted to bring Japan together with something that has been part of most of my life: the sea and sailing.
That was how the dream began: to explore Japan by yacht, and take others with me.
Two Years of Searching
Making that dream happen turned out to be much harder than dreaming it. Chartering a yacht the way I was used to simply did not work here. I looked for possibilities, visited marinas, spoke to people and kept hearing no.
At some point I began printing colourful flyers. I wrote about myself and my dream of seeing Japan from the sea and sharing it with others. I left the flyers in marinas, together with little bars of chocolate.
I look back on that with such warmth now. A grown man travelling around an unfamiliar country with a dream on a piece of paper and a bag of chocolate, hoping someone would understand.
I spent two years trying to find a way. Then, finally, I met someone who could help.
Shinya
We were introduced by Vadim, who was involved in sailing in Japan. Shinya loves the sea, helps build the local sailing community and has a deep connection with the Goto Islands.
He helped me set sail for those islands. Gradually, there was much more between us than questions about the boat or the route. We became friends.
I remember our passage from Goto to Nagasaki so clearly. A storm was approaching, and for a while we were out of contact. Shinya was very worried. Later he sent me a photo of himself, aged with FaceApp, as if to say: look what you’ve done to me.
There was so much care in that joke. Someone on shore was waiting to hear from us, worrying about whether we were safe. When we reached Nagasaki, Shinya and his wife were there to meet us.
It was through moments like these that Japan began to feel close to me. It had faces and names now. People I wanted to see again.
Ichigo Ichie
There is a Japanese expression, 一期一会 — ichigo ichie. It reminds us that every encounter is unique. Even if we return to the same place with the same people, this particular moment will never happen again.
To me, that idea captures our story perfectly.
When I left another flyer in a marina, I was looking for a way to get out on the water. I had no idea how much would grow from a single encounter: journeys between islands, friendship, shared memories, this film.
I want to stay open to encounters like that. Not to pass someone by just because we grew up in different countries, speak different languages and do not yet know anything about each other.
Why We Made the Film
I wanted to hold on to the Japan I had fallen in love with: its islands, the sea, its small harbours and the people who helped us discover them.
That is how our documentary came about. It brings together my love for this country, the dream of a journey under sail and my friendship with Shinya.
What means the most to me is being able to share how that feels. To be welcomed far from home. To be trusted, helped and waited for. And to want to offer the same in return.
Perhaps that is how friendship between countries begins: with individual people, and the way we treat one another.
From Japan to Moscow
Later, our story continued in Russia. Shinya came to Moscow, and this time it was our turn to introduce him to our country.
He tried borscht and draniki — potato pancakes — and walked around the city. One of his first impressions was how peaceful and calm it felt. It mattered a great deal to me that he should feel welcome too.
We screened the film at Moscow’s Oktyabr cinema. Shinya was there with us.
I found that deeply moving. Once, I had dreamed of reaching the Japanese islands. Now the person who had helped make that dream possible had come to visit us. We could sit together and watch a story we had both become part of.
Shinya’s visit and the Oktyabr screening — photos and the story on Instagram ↗
Watch the Film, Meet the People
Thank you for spending your time with this film. I would love to hear how it made you feel, and for you to share it with someone close to you.
We are planning another screening. If you would like to join us, meet and talk about the film, send me a message. I will share the date and details once they are confirmed.
Discover This Japan With Us
If the film makes you want to experience this Japan for yourself, I would love to welcome you on board. We sail to the islands, small harbours and people who became part of this story. My Japanese skipper’s licence and the help of local friends make this unusual, personally led expedition possible. We can help with your visa preparations too.
Film Credits
Concept, producer and aerial cinematography — Anton Timokhin.
@anton_timk
Director, director of photography (DOP) and editor — Leo Gordienko.
@leo_gordienko
Script assistance — Dmitry Klimov.
Sound design and ambient sound — Target Sound.
TargetSound.com · @stan_tone
Special thanks — Shinya Sasaki / Sailing Bindu.
For the trust, care and friendship that made all of this possible.
Anton Timokhin · SAILING MAN