🐦 Sacred Shrines and Vast Greenery: An 8km Ptarmigan Art in Omiya 🐦
Omiya in Saitama City literally translates to “Great Shrine,” named after the prestigious Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja. This 8km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho) through the expansive greenery of the Omiya Park system. Established in 1885, Omiya Park is the oldest in the prefecture and serves as the heart of this artistic journey.
The route begins near the grand approach to Hikawa Jinja, a spiritual anchor with over 2,400 years of history. Along the way, you can grab a traditional treat at Hikawa Dango or delve into regional heritage at the Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore. The trail weaves past the Omiya Keirin (velodrome) and into the spacious landscapes of Omiya Second and Third Parks, which feature scenic regulating ponds and seasonal blossoms. Geographically, the course sits on the Omiya Plateau, offering a stable and pleasant terrain for walkers and runners alike.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird, a relic of the Ice Age that thrives on Japan’s highest peaks. Drawing this “Messenger of the Gods” in a city defined by its “Great Shrine” creates a poetic link between the high mountains and the spiritual heart of Saitama. Tracing this 8km loop allows you to experience the seamless transition from ancient sanctuary to modern recreational space. By the time the digital Ptarmigan appears on your smartphone screen, you will have experienced the soulful essence of Omiya. Lace up your shoes and bring a touch of alpine majesty to this historic metropolitan grove!
TOURISTS SPOT
- Omiya Park
- Omiya Second Park
- Omiya Third Park
- Omiya Park Zoo
- Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja
- Hikawa Dango
- Saitama City Museum
- Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore
- Ōmiya Keirin
REFFERENCE
- GPS ART Courses in Omiya ward, Saitama City, Saitama pref.
- GPS ART Courses in SaitamaCity, Saitama pref.
- How to make GPS Art
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.
