Day 65

Fashionistas (Mamiya 645 Velvia 100)

Day 64

I met Ichiro while walking with my son carried on my chest through the streets of Hakata. We were waiting at a crossing as I was contemplating whether to head towards Nakasu to take photos or not but figured I had already done enough walking that day and should turn back. As I was waiting at the lights, Ichiro just started talking to me and said my son was cool in Japanese. I asked his name and what he did. He said he was an actor, singer and entertainer. I took it at face value but suspect he spends most of his time entertaining women as a bar host. I asked if I could take a photo and his two friends popped up out of nowhere and joined in. I like how in Japan interactions with people are always polite and enjoyable no matter who you might meet.

Day 63

izakaya staff (Mamiya 645, Velvia 100)

Day 62

gangsta pose (Mamiya 645, Velvia 100)

I asked this guy if I could take his photo after his girlfriend almost screamed in the street about how cute Josh was and how they should make a baby. He didn't look quite so enthusiastic. They were both actually very nice and not as tough looking as the pose suggests. I asked if I could take his photo as I wanted to get one of somebody with a mask on. Masks are so popular in Japan but I still don't know if they are for people with colds or for people who don't want to get them. They even come in cute colours and designs with bunny faces and more.

Day 61

dreaming? (Canon 6D)

Day 60

Spot the junkie (Canon 6D)

Day 59

Samurai Gelato ice cream shop, Tenjin, Fukuoka (Mamiya 645 Velvia 100)

I think I should point out they don't go around with samurai sword chopping up the ice cream. After a chat with the shop staff about my son who was asleep on my chest, he got it down off the wall just for a photo. Unfortunately, the bright sign confused my camera's meter a little and I didn't compensate enough for it. But still I like the photo anyway.

Day 58

sitting...

watching... Waiting...

Day 57

Day 56

heading back to uni (Mamiya 645, Velvia 100)

Day 55

fastest driver in the east (Canon 7 RF Fuji Natura 1600)

Day 54

Yatai worker (Canon 7 RF Fuji Natura 1600)

The streets of Fukuoka are famous for the street food vendors known as yatai that sell Japanese dishes like ramen, yakitori, oden and other delicacies at certain junctions around town. They set up in the afternoon and keep going until late at night serving food and beer to 8 customers at most sat around the vendor's cart. I've seen the before and after of their business and while Japan is usually quite strict about food preparation, I can't say it looks the most hygienic!

Day 53

cool biz (Canon 7 RF Fuji Natura 1600)

Day 52

Twins (Mamiya 645, Velvia 100)

I just had to ask why these two girls were dressed the same. Apparently, they were going to a concert. I met other girls going to the same concert all dressed as twins but completely different outfits. I asked if I could take a photo of them together, and initially they agreed but the one got shy then said it was OK to take a photo of them walking away. Unfortunately, I had switched from using the hand crank to the Mamiya motor winder mid-roll and couldn't work out why I couldn't take a photo until they were quite far off, but I like the image all the same.

Day 51

Finally got film back from Japan!

Hakata Festival sign (Canon 7 RF, Fuji Natura 1600)

I only had a few hours to use up my film on the last day in Japan, so I took random shots with this film without paying enough attention to it. I like the look and colours much better than I expected.

Day 49

sunset moustache

Day 48

I made this!

Went to a pottery studio while in Japan and tried my hand at using a potter's wheel. It took a month to dry and be shipped home and luckily made it in one piece! The master potter was worried my in-turned lip would make it difficult to drink so I suggested adding the spouty bit. I'm glad to say beer can be poured down the gullet from any position.

Day 47

cars and colours

Day 46

Day 45

space station