🐦 Southern Shinshu Heritage: A 13km Ptarmigan Art through Iida’s Puppet Town 🐦
Iida City in southern Nagano is a charming castle town nestled in the heart of the Ina Valley, framed by the Central and Southern Alps. Known for its “Apple Boulevard” and world-class puppet theater, Iida offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural depth. This 13km GPS art course invites you to sketch the form of a Ptarmigan (Raicho), the prefectural bird of Nagano, across the historic streets of the city center.
The journey highlights the unique geography of Iida, characterized by river terraces carved by the Tenryu River. Starting near the beloved Iida City Zoo, the route navigates through the atmospheric Atago-juku, a former post town on the Enshu Kaido. As you trace the silhouette of the bird, you will pass Iida and Kiriishi Stations, the Iida City Office, and the serene Hakushinji and Ryugasan Yoshikatsu Temples. A cultural centerpiece of the walk is the Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum, which celebrates the city’s identity as a hub for traditional puppet performance.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird, a relic of the Ice Age that inhabits peaks above 2,400 meters. Drawing this “Messenger of the Gods” in the valley below creates a symbolic link to the majestic mountains overlooking the town. The 13km circuit, passing through Ogimachi Park, provides a refreshing challenge for walkers and runners alike. By the time the digital Ptarmigan appears on your screen, you will have woven together the threads of Iida’s samurai legacy and its artistic modern spirit. Lace up your shoes and enjoy this creative trek through the soulful streets of Southern Shinshu!
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.
