Oni in Fukushima Ward, Osaka City 13km

👹 Draw an Oni in Fukushima, Osaka: Urban GPS Art Walk ✨

This 13-kilometer GPS art course invites you to draw an oni (demon) while walking through Fukushima Ward in Osaka—a district whose very name is deeply connected to folklore and good fortune. As you trace the route, a demon-shaped figure gradually appears on your map, turning an urban stroll into a playful and symbolic experience.

The origin of the name “Fukushima” is closely tied to legend. One popular story says that during the Heian period, the scholar Sugawara no Michizane passed through this area on his exile to Dazaifu. At the time, the land was known as “Gakijima” (Island of Hungry Ghosts), a name considered ominous. Michizane is said to have renamed it “Fukushima,” using the auspicious character for “fortune.” Another theory links the name to “Watanabe no Fukushima,” a departure point mentioned in The Tale of the Heike, associated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Osaka’s historic waterways.

The course passes key local landmarks such as Noda Ebisu Shrine, dedicated to prosperity and business success, Kasuga Shrine, the Fukushima Ward Office, and the monument marking the birthplace of Panasonic. Green spaces like Shimo-Fukushima Athletic Field and Yoshinocho Park offer moments of openness amid the city, while riverside scenery reflects the area’s long history as a hub of transport and commerce.

Surrounded by the Dojima and Ajigawa rivers, Fukushima Ward blends traditional downtown atmosphere with modern urban life. Drawing an oni here is more than a creative challenge—it’s a walk through layers of history, legend, and everyday Osaka culture. This GPS art course is perfect for Setsubun season and beyond, inviting walkers to chase away misfortune and welcome good luck.