🌸 Ancient Temples and Terraced Views: An 8km Sakura Trail in Minami-Alps 🌸
Minami-Alps City in Yamanashi Prefecture is a scenic gateway nestled at the western edge of the Kofu Basin, offering breathtaking views of the Southern Alps and the iconic Mount Fuji. This 8km GPS art course invites you to celebrate the season by sketching a grand Sakura (cherry blossom) while wandering through the historic temple grounds and pastoral landscapes of this fertile region.
The journey centers on Myoryo Temple, a venerable sanctuary of the Nichiren sect. The temple is famous for its magnificent weeping cherry trees, whose cascading pink branches are so dense they are affectionately called “Ura-mi-no-zakura” (cherry blossoms viewed from behind). After soaking in the spiritual beauty, the path leads you to the Nakano Rice Terraces. From the observation deck, you can witness a quintessential Japanese landscape where the stepped fields lead the eye toward the majestic peak of Mount Fuji across the valley.
Tracing the lines of the floral art, you will explore the historical roots of the area at the Tsubaki Castle Ruins (Ueno Castle), a former fortification associated with the retainers of the Takeda clan during the Sengoku period. The route also takes you past the serene Suwa Shrine and Hachiman Shrine, which have stood as spiritual anchors for the local community for centuries.
With the gentle undulations of the alluvial fan terrain, this 8km trek provides a refreshing physical challenge and ever-changing vistas. By the time the digital Sakura blooms on your smartphone, you will have connected the dots between ancient heritage, agricultural artistry, and the vibrant life of spring in the mountains. Lace up your shoes and experience a unique blend of “Sakura” and “Satoyama” in the heart of Yamanashi.
DETAIL (EXTERNAL LINK)
A PIONEER IN GPS ART.
1st work was authorized by Guinness World Records as “the Largest GPS Drawing”.
He is the only Japanese person to be featured in a Google documentary as an innovator. He is fascinated by the idea of drawing with GPS and has published more than 2,500 works.
