Escape to a Sacred Japanese Mountain (4K) | *PATREON EXCLUSIVE VIDEO*
Added 2020-08-28 17:49:47 +0000 UTC**UPDATE** - This video is now available in 5k!
Well August was certainly a fun month (utterly absurd temperatures aside).
From the long awaited "Driving in Japan" video and mocking Google Translate, to catching up with Natsuki for his birthday and making the Abroad in Japan Podcast twice weekly - as well as upgrading to an iMac and a new camera.
And with the impending Sushi restaurant documentary next week, an upcoming journey to a remote island with Natsuki and a road trip series with Joey the Animeman coming up, there's certainly lots to look forward to in the coming weeks.
This week I finally got around to testing my new camera and so today I thought I'd cheat on Film Friday (just this once!) and instead share with you some of the footage from the camera which I was able to capture in a forest in Yamagata yesterday.
Unfortunately, the stunning location I filmed in was poorly lit as I arrived a bit late, so I don't think I was able to truly do it justice. And due to the high temperatures (36 degrees celsius with silly humidity) and a million mosquitoes who exploited exposed skin, I wasn't able to capture the kind of artistic footage I'd envisioned. I'd hoped to let the camera roll for 20 minutes, but after 3 minutes I was about to ready to run out of the forest screaming.
On the upside I not only learned never to go outdoors again in August in Japan, I also discovered a lot about my new camera (the Panasonic S1H).
Watch: https://youtu.be/bjYZ8foDmcM
Song: 'Dawn Greeting' by Shin Suzuma
You may recognise the location in the video - Mount Haguro in Yamagata - a beautiful location which Ryotaro and I visited several winters ago for this spectacular and criminally underrated Abroad in Japan episode.
Trip with Risottoro
https://youtu.be/G0qbp_12t4Y
A video in which Ryotaro and I took part in silent meditation in the snow, and coined the nickname Risottoro for the first time. For those reasons alone, it may have been the best trip ever.
Here's more details on Mount Haguro:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7902.html
But I've been wanting to experiment with relaxing Japanese scenes for years now, and this video is my first foray in that direction. I like the idea of creating videos that enable viewers to escape for a short time to Japan using a single shot, and pleasing, therapeutic sound effects and I'm open to any ideas on how we can build on this series (potentially to launch on the second channel).
Also to answer the inevitable question, the presence of the cats isn't entirely random! The local town has quite a lot of feral cats roaming around (they often appear in the forest). They're inclusion therefore seemed fitting.
Enjoy the video and the 2 minute escape folks! I'll be back in a few days in the run up to the Sushi documentary with more news of what's in store in September,
Chris
Comments
So nice! The cats complete it with their calm subtle movements giving us something to focus on whilst enjoying the scenery.
2021-12-12 01:04:12 +0000 UTCIt's absolutely amazing! I wish I could save it as a screensaver! It would be great to see more of this content!
Mariko
2021-07-03 19:51:03 +0000 UTCI love this kind of videos. I hope you continue making them every now and then. 🙏
2021-06-18 11:11:41 +0000 UTCThat went by so fast lol. How wondrous to be able to go and just be, breathe, listen/see/feel such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing! The world needs more of these vids lol. Also your music placement and that cat’s meow in the background timed perfectly!
2021-01-02 21:47:58 +0000 UTCI keep coming back to this when I need to take a moment to collect myself from a rough or busy day, it really is incredibly peaceful and the quality is outstanding. And you now have me stuck on Shin Suzuma, to boot. ♥ It really is a transportational experience. ♥
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-09-08 16:04:03 +0000 UTCHighly likely!
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-04 05:34:45 +0000 UTCHave just watched the video in 5K and my lord it's a thing of beauty, wonderful job Chris! Would love to see more videos like this
2020-09-03 11:51:18 +0000 UTCIf there is going to be another series with Joey the Anime Man, does this mean we will get another Dr Jelly commercial?!
2020-09-02 03:33:48 +0000 UTCBeautiful 😍 I was supposed to be moving to Nagano in December to work for 4 months in the snow fields but now with covid I'm not so sure 😭 flights are still booked so fingers crossed! For now I'll rely on your videos as my escapism! Also after watching your behind the scenes driving video... are those cats even real? Is the temple cgi? You're getting good at it so we'll never know... Hahaha 😂
2020-09-01 20:47:33 +0000 UTCWow. I've literally just watched this on our 4k TV and said "Look at all the shit floating about in the air." It's stunning. 🙈
Elaine Sparklemonkey Campbell
2020-08-31 19:35:24 +0000 UTCMan, I thought real life was immersive, but after seeing the video in *stunning 4K*, I can't tell which is real: the Japanese mountainside scenery or my tiny apartment!
Argus9 (Jonathan)
2020-08-31 19:19:34 +0000 UTCLove this Chris, more of these please
Jashlo
2020-08-31 17:43:27 +0000 UTCThanks Kami! I’ll try and get a 20 minute version up in the coming week or so!
Abroad in Japan
2020-08-31 14:58:26 +0000 UTCWhat a villainous swine I am, haha.
Abroad in Japan
2020-08-31 14:57:35 +0000 UTCI'd love to see more videos like these, 20 minute ones would be awesome. I feel like you're being overly critical of your work here though (unlike you, I know) this video is stunning and even if it didn't capture exactly what you set out to get, it's damn beautiful. Good work as always!
2020-08-31 14:33:59 +0000 UTCThank you! This is amazing!!! You should def. do more of these. I personally love watching stuff like this, walks in Japan... soaking in the environment sounds.. <3
2020-08-31 10:35:03 +0000 UTCi think shots like those would attract those who are interested in the beauty of japan without the explanations. you could get shots like this of the various wonders of japan and link them to another video on you visiting the place or vice versa. possibly even city shots at night if you consider the view worth it.
Isaac
2020-08-31 09:07:17 +0000 UTCGreat, I finally buy a 4k TV and you go and start bleddy filming in 6k 🤣
2020-08-31 08:10:44 +0000 UTCS1h can film 6k for hours unlimited. The R5 can do 20mins in 8k and an unreliable 4K hq mode. But also pretty poor dynamic range compared to the s1h and Sony.
Abroad in Japan
2020-08-31 06:03:21 +0000 UTCman Chris you're patreon is so active these days! I love it. I might actually visit here more often :) Really enjoy all the content you've been putting up here and looking forward to whats coming
Farah
2020-08-31 04:54:06 +0000 UTCas a true american, i have no idea about celsius temps: so i had alexa convert it for me. i’m so disappointed! i figured 36C was easily over 100F, so imagine my tennessee disdain when it was only 96F! before the tail end of what was once cat 5 hurricane laura brought us mild thunderstorms, we popped over 100F 3days straight last week. also, alexa sez the humidity is 84% right *now* - in the evening! u gotta toughen up, chris!😉
2020-08-30 22:32:51 +0000 UTCYouTube has the 8k option up!
LordLiquidBaconII
2020-08-30 18:26:07 +0000 UTCThat's really lovely and peaceful. I'll have to check out those other videos you linked. If you did enough short 15 min videos of different places you could have a Twitch livestream that just loops them with relaxing background music.
2020-08-29 21:46:54 +0000 UTCthis is so gorgeous. i suggest the next one being in a rice field! keep it up, can't wait to see more of these
Skipadoo
2020-08-29 15:21:43 +0000 UTCSuch a simple idea and it’s just beautiful. That’s one of the main reasons I go to Japan. The beautiful scenery. Thanks so much for sharing!
Rob Biberhofer
2020-08-29 15:20:12 +0000 UTCYeah only in 1080p as of 12:00pm BST (11:00am UTC) 🤷♂️
Josh Lee
2020-08-29 11:01:54 +0000 UTCThis is so wonderful! I love that you added cats and fuzz in the air and that music combined with the sound of the water is so soothing and nice. I want more! just nice footage and music. I think it will be a hit!
Jette Nielsen
2020-08-29 09:07:35 +0000 UTCAnyone else not getting 4k version as an option on YouTube?
Linda T
2020-08-29 08:11:34 +0000 UTCThank you for this Chris, very calming and a nice note to start the weekend with.
2020-08-29 05:59:52 +0000 UTCHey Chris what was the deciding factor in choosing the s1h over something like the new Canon r5?
Brent Whitlock
2020-08-29 00:55:57 +0000 UTCAgreed!
Abroad in Japan
2020-08-29 00:06:03 +0000 UTCBeautiful footage.
Disturbed0Angel
2020-08-28 23:28:09 +0000 UTCI love it! The cats look so out of picture 😅
Faenor
2020-08-28 21:49:16 +0000 UTCReally liked this! if i had to comment, the contrast is a bit wonky with crushed shadows under the bridge and highlights blown out on the bridge. Also the added in cat noises weren't needed. Other than that, very peaceful and would like more of it!
Mr Fujisawa
2020-08-28 21:32:11 +0000 UTCI need this on a loop so I can have it on in the background all day 🥰
2020-08-28 20:03:17 +0000 UTCOr is it CGI pollen/motes of dust? Question everything!
Eels
2020-08-28 19:56:10 +0000 UTCI'm looking forward to the upcoming videos. The mountain is beautiful. I'm hoping I have my licence in time for my trip (assuming it goes ahead) so I can enjoy the mountains while I stay in Yamagata. I love how you can see the little motes of dust and pollen in the air because of the high quality. Keep up the amazing work
Khaltzane
2020-08-28 19:26:12 +0000 UTCI really like the addition of the cats. Please edit more cats in your videos. Thanks.
JaxiFye
2020-08-28 19:15:39 +0000 UTCThank you so much! It has been a long week. I need to play this on a loop for a little while. Your cinematography has developed over the years and is a joy to watch.
Sarah Ramos
2020-08-28 18:44:27 +0000 UTCFilm Friday, and we get a film by the master of superb adventure and cold coffee himself?! Oh hell yeah, i couldn't be more in if i tried! 😎☕ And i will take your advice and make my first viewing in the 4k/6k, and absolutely cannot wait to watch it, and also see what you guys have in store in the coming month, as always. I absolutely loved your guys' snowy adventure back then, easily one of my most favourite videos you've done also, and incredibly peaceful and inviting. 💜 In fact, from that very video alone, i had to do some searching to make much of the glorious music you fetured in that video alert/alarms for my phone simply because i enjoyed the visual and audio pairing so much. 📺🎶 And now we get to see it snowless and in a different experience all together! 😍 Its been such an honor to be able to tag along, in both your guys' adventures and also the glorious podcast. I couldn't be more pleased with both and everything else if i tried. 😊💜🌿🚗🗻 Absolutely hands down, my most favourite YouTube exprience to date is your channel, your education on Japan, and your adventures. 💜 Thank you whole heartedly for all your hard work, Mr. Chris. It is appreciated and enjoyed far more than you know. 😊💜
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-08-28 18:33:59 +0000 UTCWowww the clarity on the footage is incredible, I couldn't take my eyes off the water. The cats are also awesome, love a good cat. Can't wait to see more (6k cats, that is).
2020-08-28 18:33:42 +0000 UTCThanks for the end of week escape, really looking forward to your video next week. You never disappoint!
Onux Tigris
2020-08-28 18:31:48 +0000 UTCO my goodness that is górgeous!😃 I would love to see more cause it really is a window into Japan. What will be the next challenge, 3D..? Instead of a window we can take a walk with you in Japan..😄
Judith Goudzwaard
2020-08-28 18:11:57 +0000 UTCVery tranquil. Cool soundtrack too. I guess you're getting some nice dynamic range out of the s1h.
Dave Morrison
2020-08-28 18:07:57 +0000 UTCA bit like my drone agnostic mentality back in 2018, haha. Now I practically stick them in every other video!
Abroad in Japan
2020-08-28 18:06:45 +0000 UTCThat video with Risottoro is one of my all time favorites from the channel. It was just full on enjoyable to watch the whole way through and I was sad when it was over :)
2020-08-28 18:04:15 +0000 UTCVery relaxing indeed! Question - is the "pollen" in the footage real or added in post? Regardless, it gave it an etherial look to it! Thanks!
Michael P.
2020-08-28 18:02:47 +0000 UTCThank you Chris, I needed that today.
2020-08-28 18:01:29 +0000 UTCAbsolutely stunning! Is that another beautiful Shin Suzuma music piece? You ought to consider collaborating with these beautiful meditative escape masterpieces - in glorious 4K/6K no less. Brilliant, Chris! 🤯
2020-08-28 17:59:37 +0000 UTCI do love videos like these, I subscribed to Annas Film Production youtube channel a while ago for exactly this reason. When the quality is just right, it genuinely feels like a window into the subject. As if escape is real and only a few feet away. I suppose the hardest part of your new goal is how to make scenes beautiful and worth it while staying stationary. Having rivers, wildlife, waterfalls, leaves falling or trees swaying all these sorts of things you need to hope catch the eye while hoping nature itself doesnt do anything jarring to ruin your 15 minute shot. But I wish you the best, because If you succeed, then it means I dont have to stare into my boring office wall hoping by some miracle it actually becomes interesting.
Francis M. Gallagher
2020-08-28 17:59:35 +0000 UTCFrom '4K agnostic' to '1080p is so last year' quicker than you can say like a magic. 😂
Josh Lee
2020-08-28 17:59:16 +0000 UTCOne of my favourites! I loved staying in the cosy rooms up in the temple. Even if Ryotaro's snoring next door ruined the atmosphere somewhat.
Abroad in Japan
2020-08-28 17:56:48 +0000 UTC6K is a thing now on YouTube? Wow! And it's ironic that when I finally receive one of these updates at a perfect time to watch something, I need to wait an hour for processing! :) But I'll be back, never you fear.
Nynke de Haas
2020-08-28 17:55:12 +0000 UTCThe added cats are an interesting addition! I love the footage though, very beautiful!
Ruben Blom
2020-08-28 17:54:14 +0000 UTCVery calming, I want to go to Japan so badly!
2020-08-28 17:53:15 +0000 UTCI absolutely LOVE that Winter video. I actually Re-watch it a lot, it's very beautiful and calming to watch(imho). I hope more people get to watch it!
Bobby
2020-08-28 17:51:33 +0000 UTC***UPDATE** Finally uploaded in 5k!
Abroad in Japan
2020-08-28 17:50:45 +0000 UTC
