Editor's note: This is part of a series of videos offering an up-close perspective on the animal kingdom. A special 360-degree video camera system was set up in zoos and other facilities to show how the animals view their world as they interact.

Also visit our special 360-DEGREE LIVES page (http://t.asahi.com/360lives), where you can watch all the previous videos.

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SHIMODA, Shizuoka Prefecture--Under clear blue autumn skies, the rocky Shirahama-Itado shore was the perfect spot to place a video camera to observe marine life.

But finding a rock pool that was the right size for shooting purposes was easier said than done.

Low tide that October day last year was a little past 10 a.m. Shortly before midday, the problem was solved, and a camera was lowered into the pool measuring 50 or so centimeters in diameter.

The tide turned soon after. About 30 minutes after the camera was put in position, a wave washed over the pool and was quickly followed by another.

The camera had to be removed before it could be swept away. The day’s shooting abruptly came to an end.

But all was not lost. The camera captured natural life forms violently dancing in the pool. The blue sky vanished as frothing seawater churned up seaweed and tiny fish.

The view from the bottom of the pool was entirely different from what could be observed from the peaceful shore above.