Vol.1: The value of Japanese landscapes that we realized in Bangkok
Things to think about in a room in a high-rise condominium
I was working in Bangkok, Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. I lived in a 42-storey high-rise condominium in Bangkok. The room on the 23rd floor was rented from a Chinese-Thai couple. It was a one-room apartment in Japan, but I really liked it with a calm wooden flooring, which is very rare among the condominiums in Bangkok.
The view from the room was blocked by the high-rise office building next door, but the rooftop fitness room and infinity pool gave us a panoramic view of the cityscape of Chit Lom, the centre of Bangkok. I remember that despite the limited use of the pool for just an hour due to the pandemic, it was almost on hand to be private and we were able to swim quietly.
Days that can't go out and support for the heart
That time, when people were restricted from going out due to the pandemic. Every day I had a feeling that my heart was worn out. At work, I was struggling with relationships and felt mental limits. I go to SAMITIVEJ Hospital every day. I think it was due to stress that it was causing my stomach and intestines.
Among them, my only thing I enjoyed was watching beautiful footage from around the world on YouTube. And move your body. Skipping rope on the rooftop and sweating on the trampoline. Every weekend, swimming in the empty infinity pool was an important time to keep you spirited.
I was saved in the video
My YouTube channels I often watched at the time were video channels produced overseas, such as "The Flying Dutchman," "UNERDRIVER4K," "Seoul Walker," and "Scenic Relaxation." All of them were particular about high-quality images and beautiful sound, and just watching them made me feel calm.
However, strangely enough, I couldn't find a similar quality footage in "Japanese landscapes." Even if you search for Seto Inland Sea in English, all you will find are simple footage that simply involves turning the drone left and right, and long recordings with only wave sounds. It's true that there are quite a few views, but in my eyes it looked like "I should have taken a better picture."
At that moment, I suddenly thought of it. "If there's none, you'll have to do it yourself."
The scenery of the Setouchi area is world-class
I once worked at a museum on Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea. I still remember tourists from all over the world visiting, and most of them saying "it's a wonderful view." As a Japanese person, the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea changes completely depending on the season, and I never get bored of seeing it.
Koyojima, the island where my mother was born, is also a special presence to me. I feel that the scenery of the Setouchi area is not just beautiful, but something appeals to "memories" and "emotions."
What I wanted to deliver through the video
The first channel I started was Setouchi Relaxation Films A soothing video content that combines beautiful scenery shot with a drone with music. However, it was not able to run well. It was my first attempt, so I was unable to grasp the way the video was shown or the needs of the viewers.
After that, the concept was completely redesigned and started again as Setouchi Ambience Videos are "effective" for viewers - that is, they are now conscious of images that are not just about watching, but also about having a purpose such as "sleeping" and "relaxing."
The sound of rain, the sound of wind, the chirping of birds. It will surely be useful to someone else to deliver the quiet scenery and sounds of the Seto Inland Sea. With that in mind, I'm holding a camera again today.
I want to deliver it to my former self living abroad
In fact, what I still keep in mind when filming is that, like me, I used to, miss the scenery of Japan overseas.
What if someone who was born and raised in a town facing the Seto Inland Sea and now lives in a faraway country would look back at me when I watched my video. Or, if you're able to soothe your heart even for a moment in stressful urban life.
With that in mind, I'm walking in the rain today, holding my camera and microphone.
Continued in Vol.2
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