🌸 A 1,000-tree Promenade along the Kuzuryu: An 8km Katsuyama Sakura Trail 🌸
Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture is famously known as the dinosaur capital of Japan, but it also boasts a rich identity as a textile town nurtured by the pristine waters of the Kuzuryu River. This 8km GPS art course invites you to celebrate the arrival of spring by sketching a grand Sakura (cherry blossom) amidst the city’s most iconic floral landmark: the Katsuyama Benten Sakura. With approximately 450 Yoshino cherry trees stretching for 1.5 kilometers along the river embankment at Benten Ryokuchi Park, this pink canopy against the backdrop of the snow-capped Hakusan Mountains is a sight to behold.
The journey begins along the riverfront, where the refreshing breeze accompanies your every step. As you navigate the loop, you will encounter Hataya Memorial Hall Yumeore Katsuyama. This museum, housed in a former silk mill, tells the story of how weaving once fueled the local economy. Walking this route feels like weaving your own footsteps into the historical fabric of the town, much like the delicate textiles produced here for generations.
The trail also visits Hōshōji Temple, home to magnificent Edohigan and weeping cherry trees that serve as silent sentinels of the changing seasons. Passing by Shinmei Shrine and the Katsuyama City Hall, you’ll experience the harmonious blend of quiet residential life and majestic natural scenery. Geographically, Katsuyama is a basin surrounded by lush peaks, providing a cozy, sheltered atmosphere that makes your outdoor adventure feel like a private tour of a hidden sanctuary.
The 8km distance is ideal for a leisurely stroll or a brisk jog, with the flat terrain along the river being particularly pleasant for precise digital drawing. By the time the digital Sakura blooms on your smartphone screen, you will have connected the city’s industrial heritage with its seasonal splendor. Lace up your shoes and experience the poetic “weaving” of history and nature in the heart of Katsuyama!
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.
