🌸 Discover Hiroshima’s late blossoms: An 11km course via Japan Mint and Coin-dori 🌸
When the common cherry blossoms have faded, the spring season in Saeki-ku, Hiroshima, is just beginning. This 11km GPS art course invites you to sketch a grand cherry blossom (Sakura) centered around the Japan Mint Hiroshima Bureau. As the nation’s only integrated coin production facility, it hosts the famous “Hana no Mawari-michi” (The Floral Detour) every mid-April. This event showcases over 60 varieties of rare late-blooming double cherry blossoms, such as the Otemari and Benitemari, which are known for their voluminous, rose-like petals.
The surrounding Itsukaichi area has a unique cultural connection to currency due to the presence of the Mint. Your journey takes you through Coin-dori Shopping Street, a vibrant commercial district themed around “good fortune” and coins. As you trace the petals of your art, you will also visit spiritual landmarks like Kannon Shrine and Itsukaichi Hachiman Shrine, where the local history of the region is preserved amidst the modern suburban landscape.
The course offers a fascinating blend of industrial heritage and delicate nature. You can explore the Mint Museum to see ancient coins and medals before heading out to enjoy the floral scenery. If you time your visit during the “Hana no Mawari-michi” festival, you might even finish your journey under the romantic glow of traditional lanterns illuminating the evening blossoms.
Whether you are an avid runner or a history enthusiast, this 11km course provides a rich, multi-layered experience. By the time you complete your masterpiece, you will have discovered the unique charm of Hiroshima’s “money district” and the breathtaking beauty of its rare blossoms. Lace up your shoes and let your creativity bloom in the city that keeps Japan’s currency—and its rarest flowers—thriving.
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.
