A Snail-Shaped GPS Art through Koishikawa’s Rainy Season🐌
Located in Bunkyo City, Tokyo, the Koishikawa Botanical Garden is a historic treasure trove of flora, operated by the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo. Originally established in the Edo period as the “Koishikawa Medicinal Herb Garden” under the Tokugawa Shogunate, it served as a site for medicinal plant cultivation and early medical research. Today, it remains home to numerous rare and medicinal plants from around the world. During the rainy season, hydrangeas quietly bloom beneath the tall trees, adding a serene beauty to the garden.
This GPS art route draws a charming “snail” around the garden, covering a distance of about 7 kilometers. The course takes you along scenic spots such as the Harima-zaka cherry tree avenue, the historic Hakusan Shrine, and the quiet neighborhoods of Sengoku and Myogadani. Each step offers a glimpse into Tokyo’s gentle residential charm, far removed from the bustle of the city center.
Walking this route allows you to experience the unique blend of history and nature that characterizes Bunkyo Ward—a district steeped in culture and academia. Rain-kissed stone paths, tree-lined slopes, and the vibrant hues of hydrangeas provide a peaceful and picturesque setting for your stroll. Creating art with your footsteps in such a quiet environment offers a moment of mindful connection and discovery amidst the rainy season.
TOURISTS SPOT
- Koishikawa Botanical Garden
- Koishikawa Annex, Museum of Architecture, University Museum, University of Tokyo
- Inoue Enryô Memorial Museum
- Bunkyo Kuritsu Nishikata Park
- Harimazaka Sakura-namiki
- Denzuin Temple
- Hikawa Jinja Shrine
- Hakusan Shrine
- Hakusan Yokujō
- Hakusan Station
- Myogadani Station
REFFERENCE
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.
