Mini Zine — Issue 01 • Otaru• DIY printable PDF

Otaru, Hokkaido – the perfect location for the pilot issue of the Just Passing Through mini zine series. Come back in time with me to June, 2004 and let’s wander down to the seaside Otaru Canal for a tall glass of locally-made banana pilsner micro-brew and a look at the retro ambiance, here in the romantic ‘Venice of Japan.’

This is an 8‑page printable mini zine: full‑color but intentionally muted and slightly imperfect for an archival, tactile feel. Each issue collects small photo studies from my travels across Japan & Korea — close encounters, street scenes, impressions and observances. Every page includes glued‑on strips of minimal typewriter text and small visual flaws left in place to emphasize memory and materiality. Just Passing Through is not a travel guide series, but rather a collection of moods and vibes that make you feel as if YOU are on the journey, not merely seeing observing else’s experience.

What you get

• Instant PDF download: 1 Page (A4 + US Letter friendly layout)
• 1‑page folding & print guide (included)
• Low‑res preview image inside the file for quick browsing

How to use

• Print at 100% scale on A4 or US Letter paper, follow the included folding guide to create a single 8‑page mini zine you can cut and fold. Designed for simple home assembly — no binding tools required.

File specs & recommendations

• Format: PDF (print‑ready)
• Pages: 1 (single-sided) 
• Color profile: sRGB (optimized for homeprinters)
• Print scale: 100% (do not fit to page)
• Paper: 90–160 gsm recommended (for best fold and feel)
• Trim: trim off white border with craft knife or scissors

Artwork Usage & AI Restriction Notice

By purchasing or downloading this zine, you agree it is for personal use only. You may not resell, redistribute, reproduce, modify, or use it commercially without written permission from the artist.

Uploading this zine to AI image generators, AI training systems, machine-learning datasets, or automated image tools for reproduction, imitation, modification, or style replication is prohibited.

All zines remain the copyright and intellectual property of the artist. Purchase of a digital file does not transfer ownership or reproduction rights.

Thank you for respecting the original creative work behind this zine.

Refunds & support

• Digital downloads are final. If you experience a technical problem with the file (corruption, missing pages), contact me within 7 days and I’ll provide a fixed copy.

About the series: This is Issue 1 in a rolling archive of mini zines documenting ~25 years of travel across Japan and Korea. New issues released regularly — collect them all.

Contact

• Questions or inquiries: message me via Payhip after purchase or email: naturenutorders@gmail.com

Quick tips

• Print a test copy on cheap paper first to check fold order.
• Flatten creases with a bone folder or credit card edge for easier alignment. 
• After assembly, glue the open (white) pages together with a glue stick for a sleek booklet look. 
• If prints appear slightly off, disable ‘shrink to fit’ and ensure 100% scale.