Snail-Shaped GPS Art through the Serenity of Rikugien Garden in Rainy Bunkyo🐌
Rikugien Garden, nestled in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward, is one of the finest examples of Edo-period landscape design. Created in 1702 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu under the patronage of the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, this strolling-style garden draws inspiration from classical Japanese waka poetry. Recognized as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, its tranquil paths, ponds, and miniature hills are especially enchanting during the rainy season when hydrangeas bloom in soft colors.
This 4-kilometer GPS art course outlines the shape of a snail—a beloved symbol of early summer in Japan. The route encircles Rikugien and extends into the peaceful neighborhoods around Komagome Station, tracing through charming alleys and historic zones such as the nearby Kyu-Furukawa Gardens and former samurai residences.
As you walk the rain-slicked stone paths and leafy green lanes, your footsteps create a drawing—an ephemeral, digital artwork born from your movement. Despite its use of modern technology, the experience retains a graceful, poetic atmosphere that resonates with the spirit of Rikugien. It is a meditative journey, blending art, nature, and history beneath the soft drizzle of Tokyo’s rainy season.
TOURISTS SPOT
- Rikugien Gardens
- Hydrangea Garden
- Toyo Bunko Museum
- Bunkyo Green Court
- Komagome Higashi Park
- Hiyoshiinari Shrine
- Komagome Station
- Sengoku 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.
