About Practitioner

Hiro Iwamoto　岩本光弘

Mr. Iwamoto has been practicing Oriental Medicine for almost 40 years and spent 14 years teaching and researching on acupuncture, Shiatsu, and Anma at the University of Tsukuba, School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for the visually impaired in Tokyo, Japan. Many of his former students have become teachers of acupuncture, Shiatsu, and Anma in schools all over Japan, passing on his knowledge and skills to the next generations.

Born and raised in Kumamoto, Japan, Hiro Iwamoto was born with a weak eyesight and became completely blind at age 16. After losing his sight, he went through a period of struggle but found a new purpose in life in helping and encouraging others. Read his interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune.

He relocated to San Diego with his wife and daughter in 2006, and in 2008 he opened his clinic there. In addition to his practice, he is also known for being a blind sailor, triathlete, and life coach.

In 2019, he temporarily closed his clinic in Convoy, San Diego, to pursue his dream. He sailed across the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Fukushima, Japan, with his sailing partner Doug. For his achievement of crossing the Pacific Ocean as a blind sailor, he received the 12th Marine Nation Promotion Meritorious Service Award from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The following year in 2020, he received the Uemura Naomi Adventure Prize in Japan. He returned to San Diego and reopened his current clinic. Meanwhile, he has started preparing for his next challenge: single-handedly sailing across the Pacific Ocean.