🐦 Exploring Northern Culture and Historic Trails: A 10km Ptarmigan in Sapporo 🐦
Sapporo City in Hokkaido, nestled on the vast Ishikari Plain, is a premier northern metropolis celebrated for its grid-patterned streets and perfect harmony of urban sophistication and natural beauty. This 10km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), tracing a scenic, flat loop around the magnificent Nakajima Park, located just south of the lively Susukino entertainment district and west of the Toyohira River.
The cultural trek begins within the park’s lush layout, passing the historic Hōhei Kan—a stunning Meiji-era ultramarine hotel—the world-class Sapporo Concert Hall ‘Kitara’, the Hokkaidō Museum of Literature, and the charming Sapporo City Observatory. As you shape the bird’s silhouette, the route extends into the western plains, guiding you near the sacred Yahiko Shrine and the energetic concert hub of Zepp Sapporo. The course seamlessly connects these landmarks with the Akebono Art & Community Center, a vibrant local hub for creativity and civic activities.
The Ptarmigan is an Ice Age relic and a sacred alpine bird that embodies the resilient spirit of the cold northern wilderness. Etching this majestic icon across Sapporo’s flat, vibrant city grid offers a playful and poetic contrast. This 10km loop is flat and highly accessible for runners and walkers alike. By the time the digital bird appears on your smartphone screen, you will have experienced the rich history and culture of Sapporo with every step.
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.
