🐦 Tracing a Ptarmigan in the Ancient Capital: From Imperial Gardens to Shimogamo 🐦
Kyoto, the thousand-year capital framed by gentle mountains and the Kamogawa River, is steeped in profound cultural layers. This 11km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), tracing a path from the north side of the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden to the ancient forest of the World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Mioya Shrine).
The journey offers an immersive cultural walk through classic Kyoto. Starting near the spiritual grounds of Kawai Shrine, the route carries you past Homman-ji Temple, famous for its weeping cherry blossoms, and the hidden gem Kanga-an Temple. Heading west into the historic Kamigyo Ward—the heart of Nishijin textile culture—the trail seamlessly connects legendary temples: Hōkyō-ji (the doll temple), Hō-on-ji (famous for the roaring tiger painting), and the grand Nichiren sect centers of Myōken-ji, Hompō-ji, Myōren-ji, and Myōkaku-ji. You will also pass the local guardian site, Suika Tenmangu Shrine. Geographically flat and full of architectural heritage, this route feels like walking through an open-air museum.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird, an Ice Age relic that symbols the majesty of high snowy mountains. Etching this mystical messenger across Kyoto’s deeply historical grid is a poetic tribute to Japan’s natural and spiritual heritage. By the time the digital bird appears on your screen, you will have woven together Kyoto’s imperial past and its living traditions 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.
