🐦 Through the Shogun’s Castle Town: An 8km Ptarmigan Art in Wakayama 🐦
Wakayama City, a destination defined by the legacy of the Kishu Tokugawa clan, is nestled beautifully near the mouth of the Kino River. This 8km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), starting from the historic Wakayama Castle Park Zoo, which has been beloved inside the castle grounds since the Taisho era.
The journey seamlessly blends feudal majesty with modern urban culture. You will begin by admiring the historic castle keep and the serene Momijidani Teien Garden before heading toward the sleek, modern Wakayamashi Station. The route then carries you into the past at Honganji Temple Saginomoribetsuin, a sacred site deeply tied to the legendary Saika warrior monks. Next, experience industrial innovation at the Fusion Museum—celebrating the city’s rich textile heritage—and high culture at The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama. Tracing the bird’s silhouette also leads you through the nostalgic covered arcades of Burakuri-cho and East Burakuri-cho Shopping Streets, which echo the commercial bustling of the Showa era.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird and an Ice Age relic that thrives on Japan’s highest snowy peaks. Drawing this mountain icon across the warm, coastal plains of Wakayama is a creative contrast that defines the joy of GPS art. The terrain is remarkably flat and pleasant, making this 8km loop ideal for a morning jog or a leisurely historical stroll. By the time the digital Ptarmigan takes flight on your smartphone screen, you will have discovered the colorful layers of Wakayama’s history and its welcoming local vibe. Lace up your shoes and embark on this artistic journey through the heart of Kishu!
RESTAURANT
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.
