🐦 At the Foot of Chausuyama: A 5km Ptarmigan GPS Art in Shinonoi 🐦
Shinonoi, located in the southern part of Nagano City, serves as a vital junction between historic trade routes and modern railways. Overlooking this district is Mount Chausu, home to the famous Chausuyama Zoo, a sanctuary dedicated to the conservation and breeding of the Japanese Ptarmigan. This 5km GPS art course invites you to sketch this sacred alpine bird across the flat, accessible streets just west of Shinonoi Station.
The route weaves through a pleasant residential area and encircles Shinonoi West Park, a popular green space for local families. Geographically, Shinonoi sits within the fertile Zenkoji Plain near the confluence of the Chikuma and Sai Rivers. The terrain here is remarkably flat, providing a perfect “urban canvas” that contrasts with the rugged, high-altitude peaks where the Ptarmigan naturally resides.
The Ptarmigan, or “Raicho” (Thunder Bird), is the official prefectural bird of Nagano and is revered as a “Messenger of the Gods.” As Chausuyama Zoo is a leader in protecting this endangered Ice Age relic, drawing its silhouette at the foot of the zoo’s hill is a poetic tribute to the region’s biodiversity. This 5km circuit is ideal for a leisurely stroll or a brisk jog, allowing you to focus on the intricate lines of your digital masterpiece. By the time the digital Ptarmigan appears on your smartphone screen, you will have experienced the harmonious blend of Nagano’s natural heritage and its welcoming neighborhood charm. Lace up your shoes and bring a piece of alpine history to the streets of Shinonoi!
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.
