🌸 Ancient Kofun and River Blossoms: A 15km Sakura Trail in Mibu Castle Town 🌸
Mibu Town in Tochigi Prefecture is a place where layers of history coexist in harmony. Once a vital post town on the Nikko-Reiheishi Highway, it hosted Tokugawa Shoguns at Mibu Castle during their pilgrimages. This 15km GPS art course invites you to celebrate the season by sketching a grand Sakura across this storied landscape. The heart of the route is Shinonome Park, where cherry blossoms frame the Kuro-kawa River in a spectacular display of pink.
As you trace the petals of your digital artwork, the path leads you from the tranquil Mibu Castle Ruins to the prehistoric wonders of the Kurumazuka and Atagozuka Kofun. These massive burial mounds offer a profound connection to Japan’s ancient past, standing in silent contrast to the refined Edo-period heritage found at the Mibu-machi Historical Folk Material Museum. The route also visits the spiritual anchors of the town, including the venerable Okoto Shrine and the peaceful grounds of Jorakuji and Koshoji Temples.
Geographically, the terrain of the Kanto Plain here is beautifully flat, making this 15km circuit perfect for an engaging run or a deep-dive walking tour. Starting near Mibu Station, the trail allows you to experience the local atmosphere and the refreshing river breeze. By the time the digital Sakura blooms on your screen, you will have connected 1,500 years of history with each footprint. Lace up your shoes and let your creativity flourish in this town of castle walls and ancient mounds!
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.
