The two times I’ve been to Japan have quite possibly be the highlights of my life to this date. I wish there was a different way I could interpret it rather than just posting a bunch of photos and text on a blog but it’s the only way it seems. The first trip was with a bunch of fellas from Melbourne, mostly from the Insane Drifters crew and Nigel Petrie from EngineeredToSlide which was pretty much an improvised trip, planning things as we went along and it ran better than what we could have ever imagined. On the other hand, my second trip, down south in the Kansai region was planned as I went with K-Tours, consisting of Erin Sykes from JDM Garage, Ewan Paterson from Hayatonka  and Shane Bingham from K-Tours which was equally par with the first trip but very different. I’d like to personally thank Ewan, Shane and of course Erin for all they did during the trip, I have to give it to these guys, managing a tour of 20+ rowdy Australians in Japan was definitely a job well done. A special thanks goes to Ewan up in Nagoya for setting up some amazing nights down at the port with D1 drivers and a bunch of others needless to say. All the images I’ve been posting over the past 8 months have been from this trip and I hope you guys have enjoyed them as much as I have.

I can happily say I’m heading back to Japan at the end of next month for hopefully a good few weeks. We have a few events lined up such as a Mooneyes meet in central Tokyo, Ebisu Drift Matsuri, Drift Muscle up at Sugo Sports Land and hopefully at Maze, MSC down at YZ Circuit and the Hellaflush Kansai meet and anything in between x

S14 at Nikko, groovy character x

When you think of Bihoku Circuit, I’m sure the majority of you think of the Highland layout which is the one above, yes the quick, snappy, 3rd gear entry that rides along a huge dirt bank that has claimed too many cars over the years. It was a last minute decision after dinner the night before that a few of us boys head down to Okayama from Sakai to Bihoku, which isn’t a short drive. Arriving nice and early at the circuit we basically had it all to ourselves besides another 4-5 cars, consisting of AE86’s, JZX and a KP61.

When you enter the gates to Bihoku you have to drive past this little circuit to get out the back where the Highland track is. I have never heard, or seen any photos of this particular track at Bihoku so I was super stoked when I saw it! Todd and I spent a few hours on this throughout the day, shooting in black and white film. The course is very tight from little crests that run through trees and extra tight hairpins. I can’t wait to show the rest of this set x

So my last roll of film got developed last night thanks to Chris. It was the one and only roll I shot in black and white and I regret not shooting more – Illford HP5 400 B&W. Here is a preview shot of the roll.The vending machines outside the office at the Highland circuit, Bihoku, Okayama x

Shirtstuckedin is almost 100% content we’ve shot over the duration of being in Japan. Over the 1.5 years Shirtstuckedin has been alive for we have managed to attract an unbelievable audience, one being Andrew Stepp from the United States of America and this is his groovy s-chassis. Myself, Ian and Andrew talk quite often and I couldn’t help but to not re-post this photo Ian snapped in Fuji Pro160c 200 film not too long ago. With such friendly people like this I’m more than happy to share what they have in their backyards half way across the globe. Be sure to check out Ian’s blog – http://seecreature.blogspot.com.au/ x

My second trip to Japan was quite like the first only in Osaka rather than Tokyo. From disembarking off the plane to checking into our hotel in Osaka it wasn’t long before we were out the front door exploring what was at our fingertips. I have had a bunch of friends from time to time visit Japan and haven’t seen as much as they’d like to, it definitely pays to explore.

As I never leave the hotel without my cameras I’m always looking for cool things to shoot whether it be cars parked on the road, architecture and, or food. Whilst walking from our hotel into the heart of Shinsaibashi I heard quite a loud noise coming off the main road into a side street, little did I know it was a trio of Kaido Racers slash plates and all. The rest of the group didn’t take much notice apart from having their jaws down to their knees and drool coming out, however, me on the other hand, running down the street trying to capture a photo with my film camera. The result… This! A little blurry I know, but it means a lot to me.

Here, you can get a better view on things as the three low, loud and wide cars cruise down a side street in Shinsaibashi. Unbelievable experience that’s for sure x

Over the last couple of nights in Japan it went from a large group of 18 down to Sam and I. As we were staying in the heart of Osaka, Shinsaibashi for the remaining nights we decided to venture out which lead us to this little corner coffee shop – Banco.

The shop consisted of the owner and one other employee who happened to speak reasonably good english.

Fortunately the sweet sensation of that espresso wasn’t far from our hotel, needless to say it left us going back a couple more times x

Firstly, I’d like to apologise for the lack of updates across the blog lately. The reason for this is due to travelling. Just over a week ago I was contacted by my father to head over to India on a holiday with him and the rest of my family to help shoot a wedding for one of his cousins. It was quite a swift decision to apply for an Indian visa and jump on a plane half way across the world, however, it was an eye-opening experience to say the least.

As there is still plenty of images from my last trip to Japan back in 2011 the updates will continue to roll on. In saying that, I’m hoping to head over within the next 8 weeks or so hoping to travel around the country for 2-4 weeks. Its almost coming up to 12 months since I left Australia to Osaka for my second trip which is mind-blowing how fast time has passed.

These two photos above were taken on our first night in Japan in Sakai just outside of Osaka. The day was spent picking up cars from the docks and the night was spent fixing and preparing the cars for a heavy 2 weeks of drifting across half a dozen circuits throughout Kansai. In the photos are Shane’s pickup, Honda, TJ’s RPS13 and Nathan’s PS13. I really miss Japan and seriously can’t wait to get back there shooting x

Browsing through some of the film I shot in Osaka last year I came across some awesome photos of the LOOKKING FD3s RX-7 which definitely got our attention. Over the past few years LOOKKING have always brought out cars that have left people rambling all over the internet, this however, is pure artwork.

The engine has remained 13B fitted with a Trust TD-06 25G making an easy 500ps. Whilst talking to the owner he mentioned the motor is capable of 800+ps. It has some very serious mods such as a HKS 6 speed dog box.

This PS13 at Meihan definitely has had some sort of inspiration from another type of car racing! x