7:18 am: the time that the first bus of the day arrives at the bus stop.

I leave Tokyo very early by car to catch passengers waiting for a bus in a mountain village.

One person is dressed up for their visit to the adult education centre in the nearby town.

One person (visiting their doctor) carries a rucksack and always stands at exactly the same spot.

One person arrives at the bus stop on the back of her husband’s cultivator, on the way to visit her doctor.

So many different reasons for waiting.

It takes time for the bus to reach the town but it also takes time to reach the bus stop.

“This is a very pretty spot. I am taking pictures of people waiting for the bus. May I take one of you?,” I asked.

“Thank you!” the passenger said and bowed. An unforgettable experience.

I admire them being themselves and melting into the scene around them.

After this first bus leaves the village, there will be no bus until lunch time.