🐎 Horse GPS Art near Kyoto Racecourse — Scenic 5km Walk 🗻
Start the New Year with a creative twist on tradition by exploring this 5km GPS art course that draws the shape of a horse on your tracker. The course begins at the Kyoto Racecourse in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, a premier Japan Racing Association (JRA) venue with a rich history. Opened in 1925 and celebrating its centennial in 2025, the racecourse recently completed a major renewal project in 2023, designed to welcome visitors with upgraded stands and family-friendly facilities. Beyond races, this venue has become a vibrant community space and an ideal starting point for those interested in horse culture.
From the racecourse, the course heads toward Yodo Station, a convenient transport hub served by JR and Keihan lines. Passing through everyday urban scenes, you’ll experience the rhythm of daily life in this historic district. The compact nature of the 5km course ensures it is accessible to walkers, joggers, and GPS art beginners alike, inviting participants to enjoy both the creative challenge and local ambiance.
The highlight of the course is a visit to Yodo-jinja Shrine, a local historic shrine cherished by residents. Visiting shrines during the New Year season is a Japanese tradition, and adding a GPS art walk provides an interactive and memorable way to honor that custom. Yodo-jinja’s serene atmosphere is a lovely complement to the energy of the racecourse and city streets.
Fushimi is a place where natural beauty and cultural depth converge. Historically, the area thrived as a transportation and trading hub, benefiting from its position near the confluence of the Uji, Kizu, and Katsura rivers. Yodo itself developed into an important post town during the Edo period, and the landscape still reflects that layered history.
This 5km GPS art course offers a compact but rich experience, blending horse racing heritage, urban exploration, and traditional shrine visits. Whether you’re with family, friends, or exploring solo, this course makes for a delightful New Year’s walk. Trace the silhouette of a horse on your map and create a unique start to the Year of the Horse.
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.
