🐦 Ocean Views and Hilly Trails: An 11km Ptarmigan Art in Hitachi 🐦
Hitachi City in Ibaraki Prefecture is a dynamic coastal destination nestled between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Abukuma Mountains. Historically known as a thriving mining town and the birthplace of a global tech giant, it beautifully combines industrial heritage with natural vistas. This 11km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), starting from Kamine Zoo, located on a scenic hillside inside Kamine Park.
The journey begins with nostalgic views from the adjacent Kamine Amusement Park before leading you to Kamine Shrine, a sacred sanctuary that has guarded this mountain edge for centuries. From the highlands, the route descends into the bustling urban grid, passing the architecturally striking Hitachi City Hall and the Hitachi Citizens’ Hall, the cultural heart of the community. Tracing the silhouette of the bird along these streets reveals the city’s unique geography, transitioning from forested slopes to seaside urban plains.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird and a relic of the Ice Age that thrives on Japan’s highest snowy peaks. Drawing this mountain icon across a city defined by the ocean creates a playful irony that makes GPS art so engaging. The 11km loop features invigorating elevation changes, offering an excellent workout for runners and active walkers. By the time the digital Ptarmigan takes flight on your smartphone screen, you will have experienced the perfect fusion of Hitachi’s industrial strength and its refreshing coastal breezes. Lace up your shoes and embark on this artistic journey between the sea and the sky!
RESTAURANT
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.
