🐦 Etching Shizuoka’s Prefectural Bird: An 8km Ptarmigan Art Near Nihondaira Zoo 🐦
Shizuoka City’s Suruga Ward, home to the scenic Nihondaira highlands, serves as the breathtaking gateway to views of Mount Fuji. This 8km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), starting from the world-renowned Nihondaira Zoo. Famous for its red panda conservation and immersive exhibits, the zoo sits nestled in the verdant “Udo Mountains,” providing the perfect thematic anchor for this artistic trek.
The route navigates through a blend of academic vibes near SHIZUOKA EIWA GAKUIN University and athletic energy at the Kusanagi Sports Complex and Shizuoka KEIRIN. As you trace the silhouette of the bird, you will visit spiritual landmarks such as Iseshinmeisha Shrine, Hongaku-ji, and Daijihiin Temples. This area is steeped in the legend of the hero Yamato Takeru, adding a layer of mythical history to your steps. Geographically, the course bridges the peaceful hills near Nihondaira Parking Area with the modern urban flow near Higashi-Shizuoka Station.
The Ptarmigan is not only an alpine relic of the Ice Age but also the official prefectural bird of Shizuoka. Drawing it here is especially poignant, as Nihondaira Zoo is a key facility in the national program to protect and breed the endangered Japanese Ptarmigan. The hilly terrain offers a refreshing physical challenge that mimics the bird’s rugged mountain home. By the time the digital Ptarmigan appears on your screen, you will have connected the dots of Shizuoka’s cultural heritage and its commitment to wildlife. Lace up your shoes and take flight through the historic hills of Suruga!
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.
