🐦 Through the Meridian Capital and Historic Moats: A 10km Ptarmigan in Akashi 🐦
Akashi City in Hyogo Prefecture, facing the scenic Seto Inland Sea, has long thrived as a vital transportation and maritime hub. It is famous nationwide as the “City of Time” where the Japan Standard Time meridian passes, and boasts a rich heritage as a castle town originally mapped by the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. This 10km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan, starting near the iconic three-story turrets of the Akashi Castle Ruins inside Akashi Park and weaving through scenic riversides, cosmic landmarks, and lively markets.
The cultural journey heads north from Akashi Tōkaro Baseball Field along the gentle waters of the Ika River. Turning south near the sacred grounds of Ikawadanishinmei Shrine and Susanoo Shrine, the trail runs west along the JR railway lines. Along the way, you will discover the hillside Kakinomoto-jinja Shrine, the historic Gesshoji Temple, and the towering clock of the Akashi Municipal Planetarium, which sits directly on the 135th meridian east longitude. The final stretch guides you past Akashi Station, the modern Papios Akashi complex, and the famous Uontana Shopping Street, packed with fresh local seafood.
This flat 10km loop perfectly captures Akashi’s coastal charm. When the digital silhouette appears on your smartphone screen, you will have experienced the city’s historic and culinary depth with every single step.
RESTAURANTS
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.
