🐦 Through Historic Parks and Hot Springs: A 4km Ptarmigan Art in Hakodate 🐦
Hakodate City in Hokkaido, nestled at the foot of Mount Hakodate along the Tsugaru Strait, is an exotic destination where Western-influenced history meets relaxing hot spring culture. This 4km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), starting from Hakodate Park, one of Japan’s oldest public parks established in the Meiji era.
The journey begins amid the nostalgic atmosphere of the park’s Children’s World—home to Japan’s oldest surviving Ferris wheel—and the Hakodate Park Zoo. As you trace the bird’s silhouette, you will wander through the Hakodate City Museum and challenge the city’s iconic slopes like Yachizaka (near cozy spots like Yachizaka Coffee) and Romance Slope. The trail loops around the grand Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine, a guardian sanctuary of the city, and the unique Ochinpo Shrine, before descending into the historic Yachigashira Hot Spring district.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird, an Ice Age relic that thrives on snowy northern peaks. Etching this mystical messenger across the breezy slopes of Hakodate creates a playful contrast between the sea and the high mountains. This short 4km loop features refreshing elevation changes, making it ideal for a brisk morning walk. By the time the digital Ptarmigan appears on your screen, you will have experienced Hakodate’s timeless coastal charm.
RESTAURANTS
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.
