👹 Draw an Oni in Ofuku: Fortune-Themed GPS Art Journey ✨
This GPS art course invites you to explore Ofuku, an area in Minami Ward, Okayama City, whose name literally means “Great Fortune.” Over a 29-kilometer route, walkers gradually draw the shape of an oni (demon) on their GPS map, creating a playful contrast between good fortune and folklore.
The origin of the name Ofuku has several theories. One widely accepted explanation links it to ironworking. Okayama Prefecture has long been known for iron sand, and many place names along the Yoshii River contain the character “福” (fortune). It is believed that the sound fuku, meaning “to blow” in the iron-smelting process, was written with the auspicious character for good fortune. Another theory suggests that the name reflects hopes for prosperity and rich harvests, as the area was developed through land reclamation.
The course passes several important local landmarks, including Myosen-ji Temple, Itsukushima Shrine, Gion Shrine, and Kurimura Shrine, all of which have supported community life and faith for generations. Walkers also enjoy the calm scenery of Osumi Seseragi Park, where waterways and open skies highlight the flat landscape typical of reclaimed land.
Drawing a demon in a place called “Great Fortune” adds humor and depth to the journey. The route combines history, local beliefs, and modern GPS art, making it ideal for the Setsubun season or anyone interested in how place names reflect cultural memory. This walk is not just about exercise—it is about tracing stories written into the land itself.
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.
