I have been filming the islands of the Setouchi Inland Sea on my YouTube channel "Setouchi Relaxation Films" (currently on hiatus)
It's been a few years since I started photographing the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
I was simply quietly recording the moments and places that I found beautiful, but I started to receive unexpected inquiries from both domestic and international programs asking if they could use my footage.
I believe
this was not due to my own efforts, but rather the charm of the Seto Inland Sea itself had reached across the sea I will carefully record this event for my future reference.
Requests for domestic use—started with Akira Ikegami's TV show
The first request was from the popular Japanese TV Asahi program "Ikegami Akira's News: So That's How It Is!!"
- The Good Things About Japan According to Foreigners (Broadcast January 28, 2023)
Footage used: Naoshima - Unknown Japan Prefecture Special (broadcast May 4, 2024)
Footage used: Naoshima
I was very happy when the scenery of Naoshima that I had photographed was shown on a major TV program.
It was at that moment that I realized, "Naoshima really is popular worldwide."
Contact from Korean media
Then in 2025, we received a call from a Korean production company
- MBC "Rookie Coach Kim Yeon-koung"
Usage request: footage of the Seto Ohashi Bridge
moreover,
- E-Channel " From One to Ten" (broadcast on January 5, 2026)
footage used: Naoshima
We were contacted because, due to the structure of the program, footage of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and Naoshima was required in each segment
When a foreign TV station told me, "We were looking for footage of Naoshima, and your footage was perfect," I felt truly honored and my heart warmed
To be honest, I was surprised by the email I received from National Geographic
Then, at the end of 2025, I received an unexpected email from
the National Geographic production company.
- "SAMURAI SHARKS (working title)" (scheduled to air in June 2026)
Requested footage: Seto Inland Sea
I never imagined that the world-famous TV show National Geographic would take an interest in my work.
For a filmmaker, it's a dream come true.
Why was I chosen? My own answer
I am not part of a professional filming team, I work alone. I
didn't do anything special. I just went to an island in the Seto Inland Sea on a nice day, quietly flew my drone, and took some photos.
However, I think the reason why they still contacted me is probably as follows
- The scenery of the Seto Inland Sea itself has "world-class appeal"
- Rather than "introducing" tourist spots, he has carefully photographed the "atmosphere" of the place
- Seasons, light, and the ebb and flow of the tides—a collection of records of the changes in the Seto Inland Sea
In other words, the power of the Seto Inland Sea rather than my own skills .
I think I just happened to photograph some of it "carefully."
Is that why?
There is a YouTube channel that distributes aerial footage of the Seto Inland Sea similar to my channel, but the operator of that channel is exactly copying the composition of the videos I shoot
I don't feel comfortable imitating my composition, shooting style, or even the music I use. However, I that the years I've loved the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and the time I've spent facing it are things that no one can imitate . The track record above speaks for itself...
To all program producers around the world
We are always accepting inquiries regarding the use of footage of the Seto Inland Sea
Here is the YouTube channel I run
lastly
I believe the Seto Inland Sea is a "silent cultural heritage" that we can be proud of around the world.
I would be very happy if this record catches the eye of someone, somewhere, and leads to new work introducing the Seto Inland Sea.
I have been photographing the Seto Inland Sea scenery for a long time, and this incident was an extension of that.
I would like to continue photographing the beautiful moments of the Seto Inland Sea as soon as I am ready.
comment