🐦 Through Cutting-Edge Science and Green Pedestrians: A 12km Ptarmigan Walk 🐦
Tsukuba City in Ibaraki Prefecture, set against the backdrop of Mount Tsukuba, is home to Tsukuba Science City—Japan’s largest national research center, developed since the 1960s. Catapulted onto the global stage by the 1985 International Science Exposition, the city features a futuristic layout where world-class institutes and universities seamlessly integrate with lush parklands and car-free pedestrian elevated walkways. This 12km GPS art course invites you to experience a storied landscape, tracing the distinct atmospheres of Tsukuba’s urban core centered around Tsukuba Station to sketch a Ptarmigan on your digital map.
The journey immerses you in an intellectual and green environment, passing the Tsukuba EXPO Center with its impressive full-scale H-II rocket, alongside the vibrant campus of JAPAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY. Tracing tree-lined paths, the mood blends natural serenity and everyday life near the iconic observation tower at Matsumi Park and Belc Forte Tsukuba. Continuing along the spacious walkways, you will encounter the sleek architecture of leading research facilities like the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and the prestigious Tsukuba International Congress Center. Winding through the tranquil groves of Takezono Park, the trail connects with the lively community pulse at Tsukuba Center Square and Tonarie Tsukuba Square.
Featuring car-free pedestrian decks and completely flat terrain, this 12km route offers an engaging tour of Japan’s premier science city. As the digital silhouette completes on your map, you are left with a memorable impression of Tsukuba’s innovative and verdant character.
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.
