I snapped this photo in the heart of Osaka, Shinsaibashi where we were based for the majority of our trip. This is one of the main roads in the town, many hours were spent waiting on the footpaths to get picked up which didn’t seem to worry us one bit with all the groovy cars driving past. Here is just one photo I have of a Toyota sedan lowered on some 19’s.

There is something for everyone in Japan. In the heart of Shinsaibashi, Osaka you’ll find a shop by the name of Tsutaya which is an oversized book store that ranges anything and everything. Walking into the shop it didn’t take us very long to locate the automotive section. Picking up the latest Drift Tengoku magazine I happened to find my images in Alexi Smith’s (Nori Yaro) monthly publication. I must admit it was a pretty surreal feeling walking into a Japenese store, picking up a Japanese publication and seeing my name printed under 3 images. Once again, thanks Alexi! Not only does this shop offer unlimited amount of magazines and books but one of the best coffee shops in the world a Starbucks. Don’t feel like going out? Head to one of these stores, pickup your favourite magazine and read over a late`. Just another reason to show how much I love Japan.

Heading to Japan with 20-25 people on 1 tour and having 8 or so drift cars we prepared for a logistical nightmare. Getting lost on tollways and in the cities wasn’t as bad as what we thought it would be. Shane simply mentioned if you get lost or need to stop anywhere you need to simply to one thing, switch on your hazards and people will make there way around you regardless of where you’re parked. The amount of times we had to do this was un countable but it worked in the end.

Heading back to Shinsaibashi, Osaka from Suzuka we ended up beating the other half of the group back to the city. As I rolled with the drift cars back it was a perfect opportunity to capture all of the beaters parked in one of the busiest roads in Shinsaibashi. Even though the light was still green I managed to run into the centre of the road for a few seconds to get this photo before I got ran over by any cars. How I love Japan.

I’ve always been into my urban photography, starting out in grade 9/10 I remember catching public transport into the city with my little SLR and shoot all day. On my last trip I captured some different styled images on the streets and through malls. No matter what this trip I tried to take at least one camera with me everywhere, one being my DSLR and one being my 35mm, at some stages they were both wrapped around my neck. For the majority of our time in Japan we were located in the heart of Osaka, Shinsaibashi, a place filled with an unbelievable amount of people, amazing clothing stores and exquisite dining. I honestly couldn’t tell you how many times we walked up and down the Shinsaibashi mall to get to the Dotonbori bridge but it was a LOT. I was so hooked on the shops they had running down the mall, for instance this one ‘PARK’. The design of the shops are just awesome, it was even giving me ideas for my house one day.