🐎 Horse-Shaped GPS Art Walk Through Historic Gion 🗻
This GPS art course offers a unique way to combine New Year shrine visits with sightseeing in Kyoto’s historic Gion and Higashiyama districts. Starting from WINS Kyoto, the approximately 12-kilometer course traces the shape of a horse—the zodiac animal—on your GPS map, turning a traditional city walk into a meaningful and creative New Year experience.
WINS Kyoto is an off-track betting facility operated by the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Located near Gion-Shijo and Hanamikoji Street, it stands within one of Kyoto’s most famous sightseeing areas. In addition to selling JRA race tickets, it provides weekday payout services even when races are not being held, making it a convenient base for urban exploration.
The course leads walkers through many of Higashiyama’s iconic landmarks. Highlights include Kenninji Temple, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, as well as Rokudo Chinnō-ji, known for its connection to Buddhist views of the afterlife. Walkers also pass Hōkan-ji Temple, famous for the Yasaka Pagoda, and Yasaka Kōshin-dō Temple with its colorful prayer balls. A visit to Yasaka Shrine adds a true New Year’s atmosphere to the journey.
From there, the course continues to Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine and the lively Nishiki Market, often called “Kyoto’s kitchen,” where food culture and local faith intertwine. Crossing Shijō Bridge, the walk enters Gion Shirakawa and Hanamikoji Street, where stone-paved roads, traditional townhouses, and flowing canals create a timeless Kyoto scene. Gion Corner offers a glimpse into traditional performing arts that define the area’s cultural heritage.
Higashiyama has long been the spiritual and cultural heart of Kyoto, shaped by centuries of temples, shrines, and traditional arts. Completing a horse-shaped GPS art walk here symbolizes progress, strength, and positive momentum for the year ahead. This course offers not only scenic beauty and history, but also a sense of achievement—making it an ideal New Year walk that blends prayer, culture, and creative exploration.
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.
