Walk Through Snow and Art: A GPS Art Course to Draw “Tokamachi”✨
Tokamachi City in Niigata Prefecture is one of the world’s heaviest snowfall areas, where life and culture have long been shaped by snow. Around JR Tokamachi Station and the City Hall, a unique GPS art course invites you to walk through the lively downtown while literally drawing the name “Tokamachi” on the map.
The route begins near the station, guiding walkers through shopping streets and main avenues that form each stroke of the characters. The station area serves as the gateway to the snow country, bustling with travelers, while the surroundings of City Hall concentrate cultural and administrative facilities that represent the heart of Tokamachi. As you walk, the city’s name gradually appears on your GPS track, turning an ordinary stroll into an extraordinary art experience.
Tokamachi is also famous as the production center of the traditional textile “Tokamachi Kasuri,” and today it draws global attention as the main stage for the “Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale,” one of the world’s largest outdoor art festivals. Blending the harsh yet rich environment of the snow country with creativity, the city embodies a culture where tradition and contemporary art coexist in harmony.
With snow, art, and everyday life interwoven, Tokamachi offers a unique perspective of Japan’s countryside. Why not try walking this GPS art course, drawing “Tokamachi” step by step, and experience the city’s rich history and culture in a truly memorable way?
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.
