🐎 Uji Kohata Shrine “Horse” GPS-Art Trail 🗻
Here’s a special walking route perfectly crafted for your New Year’s shrine visit: a GPS-art trail in the form of the zodiac animal “horse”. The journey begins at Kohata Shrine in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, revered as the “birthplace of horse-racing” thanks to the ancient ‘kurabe-uma’ ritual held along its two-chō horseway. Within the shrine are a horse-headed deity and Heian-era stirrup artefacts designated as Important Cultural Properties.
From the shrine you’ll traverse a scenic 7 km loop: passing Keihan’s Kohata Station, JR’s Kohata Station, then heading toward the tranquil Kohata Pond. Along the way, your GPS device traces the contours of a horse—its back, mane and legs—across residential lanes and green pockets. The route also includes Futago-zuka Kofun Park, preserving a 6th-century front-square-rear-round burial mound, adding a layer of historical depth to the walk.
Geographically, the Five-Go-Sho (Gokasho) area of Uji lies on the right bank of the Uji-River, at the transition between alluvial plain and rising hills—an environment celebrated since ancient times for its scenic and natural richness. Nestled among modern neighbourhoods are the historical landmarks—offering a distinctive blend of everyday life and heritage.
This approximately 7 km loop is perfect for a combined shrine visit, leisurely stroll and photo-friendly GPS-art experience. Record your “horse” shaped trace with your smartphone and share the creative start to your year. Step into the new year with the energy of a horse, while enjoying the culture and landscape of Uji.
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 2,000 courses.
