🐦 From Ancient Temples to the Zoo: A 5km Ptarmigan Art in Kofu 🐦
Kofu City, the historic heart of Yamanashi Prefecture, sits within a dramatic basin surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Japanese Alps. This 5km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), starting from the historic Kōfu City Yūki Park. Established in 1919, this park and its beloved zoo are cherished local landmarks, offering a peaceful and nostalgic start to your artistic journey.
The route navigates through a landscape rich in cultural heritage. You will visit Ichirenji Temple, a sacred site deeply connected to the legendary Takeda clan, and the Shonokiinari Inazumi Shrine, famous for its vibrant spring festivals. The journey also highlights the architectural elegance of Minami-Kōfu Station and the modern RICH DIAMONDS General Civic Auditorium, showcasing Kofu’s evolution from a feudal castle town to a contemporary civic hub. Geographically, the terrain is flat and accessible, making it an ideal “canvas” for walkers and runners alike.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird and a relic of the Ice Age, inhabiting Yamanashi’s highest mountain ranges like the Southern Alps. Drawing this “Messenger of the Gods” in the center of the basin is a poetic tribute to the majestic nature that defines the region’s horizon. Tracing this 5km loop allows you to experience the seamless blend of Kofu’s spiritual history and its everyday community life. By the time the digital Ptarmigan appears on your smartphone screen, you will have connected the dots between the city’s ancient roots and the wild mountain spirits above. Lace up your shoes and take flight through the soulful streets of Kofu!
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.
