Journeys in Japan
Season 4 Episode 15 - The Soulful Rhythms of the Amami Islands
The Amami Islands are subtropical. Blanketed in dense forests and surrounded by emerald waters, they are located about 400 kilometers from Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Kyushu. These islands, isolated from the continent long ago by tectonic activity, are full of rare indigenous flora and fauna. But the animals and plants are not the only thing that the forests of Amami have nurtured. They have also shaped a distinctive culture there. One example is the Amami folk song, called Shima-uta. In this edition of Journeys in Japan, Naotomo Umewaka explores the mystical forests of Amami, as well as the music and spirit of the people on the islands.
Episodes in Season 4
Exploring Yatsugatake's Nature and Jomon Legacy
28 min
Winter Bliss in Takayama
28 min
Zen and the Samurai Spirit: Kamakura
28 min
Namahage New Year's Rite
28 min
Pure Mt. Fuji: A Winter Journey
28 min
Honjima: Treasure House of the Seto Inland Sea
28 min
Sanriku Coast: Abundant Sea Part 2
28 min
Ice Monsters and Warm Hospitality: Zao
28 min
Discovering Tottori Crafts
28 min
Nature's Beauty in Microcosm
28 min
Spring Colors of Ibusuki
28 min
A Spiritual Journey in Oita
28 min
Jazzy Kobe
28 min
Minami-Boso: Seaside Trip With Children
28 min
The Soulful Rhythms of the Amami Islands
28 min
Textiles from a Royal Tradition
28 min
Ishigaki Island: Living in Harmony with the Ocean
28 min
Kamakura Tradition: Spring in the Ancient Capital
28 min
Peach Trees and Rural Retreat: Kofu Basin
28 min
Tateyama Peak Experience
28 min
The Rhythms of Ainu Life: Lake Akan
28 min
Tohoku Haiku Journey: Following Basho's Footsteps
28 min
Hakone and Izu: Classic Hotel Stays
28 min
Osaka Art Power
28 min
Oki Islands
28 min
Living with Horses: Hidaka
28 min
Tsugaru Soul Music - Tsugaru Shamisen
28 min
Setouchi Triennale: Art-Island Hopping
28 min
Ise Jingu: Man, Gods and Nature
28 min
Wonderful Yakushima
28 min
Japan's Porcelain Legacy - Arita & Imari
28 min
Life on the Lake: Kasumigaura
28 min
The Festival for the Wind
28 min
Deep Into Traditional Japan: Gokayama
28 min
The Land of Fire: Kumamoto
28 min
Kagura: Dancing Beyond Time
28 min
Iga Ninja Forest
28 min
Nostalgic Kawagoe
28 min
Celebrating Akita Cedar
28 min
Continuing the Thread of Tradition: Kiryu
28 min
The Miniature World of Bonsai: Omiya
28 min
Mesmerizing Islands at the Crossroads
28 min
