🐎 Draw a Horse with GPS Art around Ishikiri Tsurugiya Jinja 🗻
Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine in Higashi-Osaka is a popular New Year’s destination renowned for its protective blessings, especially for healing lumps and swellings, earning the affectionate nickname “Denbo no Kansha”. A unique feature of the shrine is its sacred horse stable, where a living shrine horse can sometimes be seen during the New Year period. Nearby, a bronze statue commemorates Ishikiri Tsurugiya, a former racehorse honored for its service—making the shrine a fitting starting point for a horse-shaped GPS art course.
This 14km course begins at Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine and winds through the surrounding neighborhood to form the silhouette of a horse on your GPS tracker. From the shrine, you’ll head toward Shin-Ishikiri Station and continue through residential streets to the area around Hanazono Onsen Sauna Kukka, a popular local hot spring and relaxation spot. The course then leads you to Ishikiri Sando Street, a lively shopping street lined with traditional eateries, craft shops, and festival stalls. This street is a favorite stop for shrine visitors looking to enjoy local flavors and souvenirs after their prayers.
Higashi-Osaka’s terrain sits at the edge of the Rokko mountain range, blending gentle hills with broad plains. Historically, this region was linked to trade courses leading to Osaka Bay, and Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine has long been a spiritual anchor for travelers and locals alike. The mix of urban streets, traditional businesses, and natural landscape creates an engaging backdrop for both walkers and runners.
As you progress, the GPS art gradually reveals a horse design, turning your movement through the city into a playful and meaningful artwork. The combination of shrine visit, cultural exploration, and creative expression makes this course particularly suited to the New Year season. Whether you’re walking with friends or running solo, this GPS art experience offers a fresh way to celebrate the Year of the Horse while discovering the charms of Higashi-Osaka.
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.
