🌸 Takanabe Castle Ruins: An 8km GPS art course through history and blossoms 🌸
Located in the heart of Takanabe Town, Miyazaki, Maizuru Park is a breathtaking historical site built upon the ruins of Takanabe Castle. Known for its roughly 1,000 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, the park transforms into a sea of pink every spring. This 8km GPS art course invites you to explore this castle town while sketching a grand “Sakura” (cherry blossom) with your footsteps.
The history of Takanabe Castle, nicknamed “Maizuru” (Dancing Crane), dates back to the Heian period. It was ruled by several powerful clans, including the Tsuchimochi, Ito, and Shimazu, before the Akizuki clan took over following Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s unification of Kyushu. The Akizuki family governed here until the Meiji era, fostering a rich cultural heritage. As you navigate the course, you will pass Maizuru Shrine, dedicated to the former lords, and Atago Shrine, which offers a spiritual connection to the town’s past.
The route also highlights local cultural gems such as the Kuromizu Family Residence, a traditional house that preserves the atmosphere of the samurai era, and the Takanabecho Museum, the town’s hub for art. Passing by modern landmarks like the Takanabe Town Hall, you will feel the seamless blend of ancient tradition and contemporary life.
With relatively flat terrain, this 8km course is perfect for a leisurely run or a historical stroll. When the real blossoms are in full bloom in late March, there is no better way to experience the “Town of Education and Flowers.” Lace up your shoes and let your creativity bloom in this historic Kyushu landscape!
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.
