🐎 Horse GPS Art Around JRA Niigata Racecourse 🗻
Kick off the New Year with a creative twist on tradition by exploring a 38km GPS art course around Niigata Racecourse, located in the Hokubu district of Niigata City. Famous as the only Japanese Turf 1,000m straight course (Sen-choku) in the country, Niigata Racecourse is the sole JRA venue on the Sea of Japan side, drawing crowds during the summer racing season. From July to September, this venue hosts spirited races that attract fans nationwide, and some legendary thoroughbreds have made their debuts here. Its equestrian energy makes it a meaningful starting point for drawing a horse with your GPS tracker.
The course first leads to Niigata Senbei Oukoku (Rice Cracker Kingdom), where you can savor and even make traditional rice crackers—an engaging way to explore local food culture. Moving onward, the path takes you through the areas surrounding Niigata University of Food and Agriculture and Niigata University of Health and Welfare, offering glimpses into the vibrant academic communities that define this part of the city.
About halfway through your journey, you’ll encounter Nigorikawa Park, known for its open green spaces and water features, a perfect place to recharge during your walk or run. From there, the course extends toward the Race Course Interchange and Nigorikawa Interchange areas, where suburban landscapes meld with wide avenues and scenic views.
Niigata City’s northern district benefits from its coastal location near the Sea of Japan, featuring broad plains and mild seasonal shifts that create a comfortable environment for outdoor activities year-round. Historically, this region prospered as a hub for trade and agriculture, with the Kitamaebune trading ships bringing cultural and culinary influences from all over Japan. This legacy of openness and abundance is reflected in the welcoming feel of the community and its food culture.
By combining shrine visits with GPS art, you can trace the shape of a horse—a symbol of strength, movement, and good luck—across diverse cityscapes. Whether you’re running, walking, or exploring with family and friends, this 38km course offers a dynamic and memorable way to celebrate the Year of the Horse and discover Niigata’s unique charm.
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 2,000 courses.
