🌸 Samurais’ Dream and Wood-Carved Bears: A 13km Sakura Art in Yakumo 🌸
Yakumo Town, Hokkaido, holds a unique geographical distinction as the only town in Japan bordering two different seas: the Pacific and the Sea of Japan. Founded by former samurai of the Owari clan (from modern-day Nagoya) during the Meiji era, the town is a blend of stoic warrior heritage and vast northern nature. This 13km GPS art course invites you to sketch a grand Sakura (cherry blossom) through its historic streets and lush parks.
The journey centers on Saranbe Park, located along the Saranbe River. In spring, this park transforms into a pink sanctuary with about 300 cherry trees, offering a gentle contrast to the rugged wilderness of the north. As you navigate the loop, you will visit the Yakumocho Kiborikuma Museum, dedicated to the town’s most famous export: the wood-carved bear. It was the former samurai who started carving these bears to support their families during the harsh winters.
The route also highlights Umemura Garden, a rare Japanese garden in Hokkaido that reflects the aesthetic pride of the early settlers, and the spiritual anchor of the town, Yakumo Shrine. Passing through the expansive Yurakubu Park and Aioi Park, you will experience the flat, accessible terrain of the alluvial plain.
This 13km trek is more than just a workout; it’s a creative tribute to the pioneers who dreamt of a “Yakumo” (a poetic term for layered clouds). By the time your digital Sakura blooms on your smartphone screen, you will have connected the dots between samurai resilience and seasonal elegance. Lace up your shoes and breathe in the fresh sea breeze as you let your creativity flourish in the heart of Hokkaido’s historical “ideal land”!
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.
