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Bridge engineers, Okawachi lift bridge, Saga, Japan.

These two men are responsible for the maintenance, safety and lifting and lowering of the center panel of the Okawa lift bridge. They open the span for 30 minutes in every hour, to let fishing boats in and out of the Chikugo River mouth.

The bridge was originally built in 1935 for trains, and was the largest lift bridge in Asia, but it now serves as a pedestrian only bridge.

In this photo, you can see the center section of the bridge returning to its 'open for pedestrian crossing' position.

Pork bun stallholder, Nagasaki, Japan.

There are many pork bun outlets all over Japan, selling these delicious little, Chinese inspired morsels. But that number multiplies ten fold during Nagasaki's festival season, when impromptu street stalls spring up in every available space.

The bun consists of a slice of Chinese-style barbecued pork rib, encased in a wheat flour bun, then steamed in the northern China tradition.

Young woman with dog, Odori Koen, Sapporo, Japan.

If you like being pampered, then you could do worse than be returned to your next stint on earth as a pet dog in Japan.

This young woman typically cares for her well behaved, beautifully groomed 'friend', even down to supplying it with an eye shade to help cope with the northern glare.

Not to mention the assortment of toys, snacks and other important doggie paraphenalia that she carries on their outings together.

Young women in Chinese costumes, Nagasaki Chinatown festival, Nagasaki, Japan.

These young ladies, probably of Chinese descent, are accompanying the crowned 'Royal couple', the king and queen of the festival, through the streets of Nagasaki's bustling Chinatown.

Chinese trade, and Chinese settlers played a big part in the development of Nagasaki, and it remains one of the most energetic and interesting Chinatowns and Chinese communities in Japan.

Couple on a motorcycle, Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan.

Many young people who ride motorcycles seem to cop heavy criticism, and are often labeled as being a part of a gang scene. But it is not always the case, by any means. Quite a lot of young people use motorcycles as cheap transport, or as a means of just having an ordinary outing with a friend.

This young couple were enjoying a pleasant day out in the Tokyo winter sunshine.

Couple with dogs, Odaiba beach, Tokyo, Japan.

The boardwalk along the man made beach on the reclaimed land island of Odaiba makes a very pleasant place on a fine day to stroll with the family dogs.
Odaiba, a new industrial centre in Tokyo, is home to Fuji Television, the Big Site Exhibition Center, and several other amusement and entertainment
facilities.

Soba and Udon restaurant owning and operating family, Saga, Japan.

This family own and run this recently renovated Udon and Soba shop, which also now incorporates a new karaoke bar at the rear. This photo was taken in the opening week, and the woman on the left is holding welcoming flowers from a regular customer.

Wild boar hunters, Yamato, Saga, Japan.

These men were out with their five dogs, and high powered rifles, hunting wild boar that are to be found in this area of Japan in quite large numbers.

I came across them when they literally stepped out of the forest on to the narrow, mountain road almost directly in front of me.

I am sorry for the poor quality of this photo, but the dogs were really making life difficult, as they had just been in a skirmish with a boar, and were still running around uncontrollably.

In the melee, I forgot to check my camera settings, and had only one chance to grab this photo.

Boat repairer, Madara jima, Saga prefecture, Japan.

This man's job is to help maintain the small, but important, fishing fleet operating out of Madara jima harbor. He is applying a coating of anti-fouling paint below the waterline, after having removed all the barnacles, and other damaging growth.

Madara jima is a small island off the coast of Saga, giving easy access to the rich fishing grounds of the Japan sea.

Kumamoto campaign girl, at Okayama 'Momotaro' festival, Japan.

This young woman is working at the Momotaro, or 'peach boy' festival in Okayama prefecture, promoting tourism to her home prefecture of Kumamoto.

Her sash translates in English as "Kumamoto - country of fire - campaign girl".

Country of fire, because Kumamoto prefecture is home to Mt. Aso, one of Japan's biggest active volcanoes.