👹 Draw an Oni: GPS Art Walk Around Eifuku ✨
This GPS art walking course traces the shape of an oni (demon) as you stroll through the Eifuku area of Suginami Ward, Tokyo. Spanning approximately 6 kilometers, the route is designed to blend seasonal tradition with playful exploration. As your walking path gradually forms an oni on the map, the experience becomes a symbolic journey of driving away misfortune and welcoming good fortune—perfect for Setsubun season or a reflective walk any time of year.
The name “Eifuku” originates from Eifukuji Temple, a Soto Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1522. The area was developed by the Andō clan, retainers of the Hōjō family, and was originally called Eifukuji Village. The name itself conveys a wish for lasting happiness, making it an ideal setting for a GPS artwork themed around the oni, a central figure in Japanese folklore associated with both fear and protection.
The course begins at Eifukuji Temple and passes Ryūkōji Temple, Izumi-Kumano-jinja Shrine, and Eifuku Inari Shrine, highlighting the close relationship between everyday life and spiritual practice in this neighborhood. The walk continues through Meiji University’s Izumi Campus, adding a youthful and lively atmosphere, before reaching Eifuku Central Park and the area around Eifukuchō Station.
Geographically, Eifuku sits on the eastern edge of the Musashino Plateau, an area that transitioned from farmland to residential neighborhoods during Tokyo’s urban expansion. Despite its proximity to central Tokyo, the district retains a calm, local character, with tree-lined streets and community-oriented spaces.
By completing this oni-shaped GPS art, walkers can experience a modern reinterpretation of traditional Japanese customs. The route offers a unique way to explore Suginami’s history and culture—where the playful image of an oni becomes a symbol of renewal, balance, and the enduring hope for “good fortune within.”
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.
