🐦 Through Zenkoji’s Sacred Gates: An 8km Ptarmigan Art in Nagano 🐦
Nagano City, framed by the majestic peaks of the Japanese Alps, is a historic destination centered around the ancient Zenkoji Temple. This 8km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), starting from Jōyama Zoo, a beloved facility located within the verdant Jōyama Park. The trek bridges the sacred atmosphere of a legendary pilgrimage site with the refreshing natural elevation of the city’s hills.
The journey takes you straight into the spiritual heart of Nagano. You will walk down the bustling Zenkōji Nakamise Street, breathing in the scent of incense, before passing the grand Zenkōji Temple and the solemn Daihongan Abbey. After exploring these historic temples, including the serene Daihonzan Katsuzenji, the route introduces a touch of modern culture at the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum and the Jōyama Community Centre. The physical highlight of the course is the ascent toward Zenkoji Temple Unjouden, located on the slopes of Mt. Jizuki. The incline might test your endurance, but the reward is a breathtaking panoramic view of the Zenkoji Plain below.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird, an Ice Age relic, and notably the official prefectural bird of Nagano. Drawing this “Messenger of the Gods” within sight of the very mountains it inhabits adds a deep poetic resonance to your steps. This 8km loop features a satisfying mix of urban flats and hillside slopes, mimicking the rugged terrain of the bird’s natural habitat. After finishing your digital masterpiece, reward yourself with local oyaki dumplings or Shinshu soba along the temple approach. Lace up your shoes and embark on a soulful, artistic pilgrimage in Nagano!
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.
