Photo and caption by Pamela Thomas

Otaru is a pretty town, facing Ishikari Bay in north-western Hokkaido, Japan that enjoys a nostalgic, old-fashioned mood enhanced by its architecture, layout and busy port. A beautiful wide canal flows through it. Whilst exploring in winter 2007, I happened upon an artist and stopped to look at the display of his work. A sudden burst of laughter made me turn 180 degrees to find a group of four ladies posing with rickshaw runner for an unseen photographer. I couldn’t resist the moment!

Location: Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan,