🐦 Through Takatora’s Castle Town and Sacred Temples: A 18km Ptarmigan Loop in Tsu 🐦
Tsu City in Mie Prefecture, facing Ise Bay, is a historical destination that flourished as an Edo-period castle town and a post station for Ise Grand Shrine pilgrims. This rewarding 18km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), tracing a grand loop around the majestic Tsu Castle Ruins, modern government districts, and centuries-old spiritual landmarks.
The journey begins near Kouzan Shrine, which honors the castle builder Todo Takatora, passing Tsu City Office and the nostalgic Sakurayu Bathhouse. Forging the bird’s silhouette from Tsushimmachi Station to Akogi Station, the trail guides you to the revered Tsu Kannon Temple and the historic Shitennō-ji Temple, founded by Prince Shotoku. You will also pass the Mie Prefectural Government Office and visit sacred sanctuaries like Hisazuchi Shrine and Ichikishimahime Shrine.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird and an Ice Age relic that thrives on high snowy peaks. Etching this mountain messenger across the flat coastal plains of Tsu adds a poetic and playful contrast to your trek. This 18km loop offers an invigorating distance for runners. By the time the digital bird appears on your map, you will have connected Tsu’s samurai legacy and coastal charm with every 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.
