Sailing to the Heart of Japan is a sailing adventure and 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. 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 voyage began in New Zealand and transited the South Pacific by way of Vanuatu, the Soloman Islands, Ponape, and Guam, eventually arriving in southern Kyushu and then sailing the East China Sea to Nagasaki, Fukuoka, then into the Inland Sea and Hiroshima, and onwards to Mitarai and Onomichi. From there the Coghlans visited Tomo-no-oura, Kitagi, and Naoshima, then Shodo Shima, Kiba, and Suma, Kobe, as well as the Kii Peninsula, and Shimoda, before making a slow return trip to Kodiak Alaska. The book contains a detailed appendix consisting of 30 pages of cruising notes designed to help others interested in sailing to and cruising Japanese waters.