Walk the “HOT” Route in Komatsu! GPS Art in Yokaichi & Station Area✨
On August 4, 2025, Komatsu City in Ishikawa Prefecture made national headlines by recording Japan’s highest temperature of the day: a scorching 40.3℃. To celebrate this fiery record, we’ve designed a 4km GPS art course that lets you “draw” the word HOT right in the heart of the city—around Yokaichi shopping street and Komatsu Station.
Your journey begins at Komatsu Station. From there, the route takes you through lively streets lined with arcades, where retro charm meets modern energy. Stroll past long-standing confectionery shops, traditional crafts stores, and nostalgic alleyways that bring a sense of warmth far beyond the summer sun.
Geographically, Komatsu is known for its basin climate, which often traps heat and humidity. Historically, the city flourished as an important post town during the Edo period, serving travelers along the routes of the Kaga Domain. Remnants of that history remain today in kura-style warehouses and narrow lanes, making every step a walk through time. Now, with your GPS tracker, those very streets transform into a canvas, where your footsteps trace the bold letters H-O-T—a playful reminder of both the city’s climate and its spirited culture.
At just 4km, the course is designed to be short and accessible, even in midsummer. With proper sun protection and hydration, what could be just another hot summer day turns into a memorable art-filled adventure. This is more than a walk—it’s a way to inscribe your own “HOT” story into Komatsu’s vibrant cityscape.
So, lace up your shoes, grab your GPS, and experience Komatsu’s summer heat as art!
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.
