Here’s a video-photo slideshow of my trip to Yakushima (屋久島), the green island in southern Japan, famed for its ancient cedar trees (yakusugi) and captivating forests. I went there for a 3-day trip with a couple of Japanese friends late summer 2008.
I have already posted a detailed account of my trip there which you can find here: Adventures on Yakushima, but I feel just one post can’t do this magical place justice. That’s why I decided to create this video-photo montage of my memories, backed by the melodic voice of 池田綾子 (Ayako Ikeda) singing the song 星降る森 (The Forest where Stars Fall). I tried to match up the lyrics to the photos, so if you understand Japanese, tell me what you think! I hope you enjoy it.
This also completes my entry for this month’s Japansoc.org matsuri ^^. Yakushima is officially my favourite place in Japan.
Here are the lyrics to the song if you are interested:
『星降る森』 池田綾子
海遥か いにしえの深い森に
幾千の星が降るという
星になった人たちが ただ一夜の想い
恋人に伝えるため 森に降り注ぐ
ひとつだけ願う
「愛するひとよ 忘れないで」と
千年の果てに もう一度結ばれよう
心安らかに満ちるとき
この森に光の花が咲く
争いや違う言葉 なぜ分かり合えずに
人々は光の花 枯らしてゆくのだろう
ひとつだけ願う
「愛することを忘れないで」と
千年の果ても その花を咲かせよう
無数の願いを その枝に受け 天を目指して
森は生きてゆく 千年の果てまでも
ひとつだけ願う
「いついつまでも健やかなれ」と
千年の果ても 我を抱き給え
Nice slide show. Reminded me of もののけ姫 which I JUST saw due to much insistence by some clientele… Good choice of music too.
Haha, actually Yakushima was Miyazaki’s inspiration for creating Mononoke Hime :p
Wow, really well done, yet another place I must visit when I return to Japan. What Video Maker did you use? It really comes out well.
Hi George. Thanks for your comment! I just used iMovie on the Mac ^^
Thanks. A shame I am on Windows…
The photos and music were great! After seeing this I went to look for the song at Tsutaya but couldn’t find it. After checking it out some more, it looks like a single she did in 2006. If you’ve got any idea where to find it, I’d really like to get it!
Me too Ben! It’s a tricky song to get hold of, but I think you can buy the single through Amazon Japan!
Great Videoagraphy it reminds me of the forest in the mountains near Gatlinburg. Japan is on my short list for travel destinations.
great pictures/video
I'm travelling to japan soon so thanks for these pics!!!
Your slideshow is amazing! I have to admit, the lushness and something else, not sure what, really remind me of my trip to Hawaii in the mountains. Just gorgeous. Thank you.
Beautiful slideshow. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for your comment :) Glad to know it's enjoyable to watch.