A Snail-Shaped GPS Art Drawn Around Sashiougi Hikawa Shrine, Where Hydrangeas and Tradition Bloom🐌
Located in Nishi Ward of Saitama City, Sashiougi Hikawa Shrine serves as the centerpiece for a 5km “snail” GPS art course. Rooted in the ancient Hikawa faith, this serene shrine has long been cherished by locals as a guardian of the region. Surrounded by a tranquil grove, the shrine becomes especially picturesque in early summer, when colorful hydrangeas bloom along its pathways and within its precincts.
With a history believed to span over a thousand years, Sashiougi Hikawa Shrine has been a spiritual center for agricultural prayers and household safety. The grounds are adorned with towering camphor and cedar trees, creating a sacred space steeped in both nature and history. Beyond the shrine, the surrounding area features peaceful rural landscapes, offering scenic beauty that changes with the seasons.
The GPS art route makes the most of this lush environment, weaving through shrine paths, side streets, and local parks to form the smooth outline of a snail. As you walk this course, you’ll be able to enjoy seasonal flowers and historical surroundings, making for a soothing and reflective journey for both body and mind.
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 2,000 courses.