🌸 Art in a Town Named Sakura: A 7km course through Akashi Heritage 🌸
Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, is widely known as the “City of Time” for the Japan Standard Time Meridian and for its abundance of seafood from the Harima-nada Sea. In the heart of this city lies a district with a poetic name: Sakuracho. This 7km GPS art course invites you to draw a grand cherry blossom (Sakura) through this historic neighborhood and its surrounding landmarks.
The absolute highlight of the course is Akashi Park, the former site of Akashi Castle. As a National Historic Site and one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots,” the park boasts approximately 2,000 cherry trees. The sight of blossoms framing the historic Tatsumi and Hitsujisaru turrets against the backdrop of massive stone walls is truly spectacular. Tracing the lines of the flower here feels like walking through a living history book.
The course then leads you to the vibrant Uontana Shopping Street, affectionately known as “Akashi’s Kitchen.” This 400-year-old market is famous for its fresh octopus and sea bream. It is the perfect place to take a break and savor authentic Akashi-yaki (savory egg dumplings). As you move from the dignified castle ruins to the bustling harbor area, you will feel the refreshing sea breeze that characterizes this coastal city.
This 7km course is mostly flat and easy to navigate, making it accessible for everyone from serious runners to casual strollers. By following this path in a town that bears the name of the flower itself, you connect the city’s feudal past with its lively present. Lace up your shoes and let your creativity bloom in Akashi, where history, culture, and the seasonal beauty of nature intertwine perfectly.
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.
