🌸 Sakura GPS art weaving Hachijojima’s culture and island life 🌸
Welcome to Hachijojima, the “Island of Everlasting Spring.” This 12km GPS art course takes you through the Mitsune district, the island’s vibrant hub where tourism, history, and daily life intersect. Located on a flat plain between two volcanoes, Mitsune offers an accessible and fascinating canvas to draw a grand cherry blossom (Sakura).
The course showcases the island’s unique cultural heritage. As you trace the petals, you will encounter Kaminato Beach, famous for its crystal-clear “Hachijo Blue” water. The journey also brings you to traditional craft shops like Mingei-Aki and Hachijo Mingei Yamashita, where you can admire “Kihachijo”—a legendary yellow silk fabric dyed with local plants. These golden hues contrast beautifully with the floral theme of your run.
What makes this course special is the immersion into local life. You will pass community landmarks such as Amemori Store, Hachijo Store, and the island’s cherished bookstore, Hachijo Shobo. Weaving through these streets gives you a genuine sense of the island’s rhythm. Interestingly, you will even pass Hachijo Sakura Kanko, a local bus company whose name perfectly matches the artwork you are creating with your footsteps.
With logistics made easy by nearby services like Funayama Car Rental, this 12km trek is a perfect way to explore Hachijojima beyond the typical sightseeing spots. Feel the warm subtropical breeze and let your creativity bloom as you finish your masterpiece in the heart of the Philippine Sea. This is not just a run; it is a cultural exploration of one of Tokyo’s most beautiful volcanic outposts.
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.
