🐎 Trace a Horse GPS Art near Ehime Gokoku Shrine 🗻
A new 11km GPS art course has been created around Ehime Prefecture Gokoku Shrine in central Matsuyama, offering a perfect way to enjoy both a New Year shrine visit and a cultural urban walk. This course draws a horse motif inspired by the shrine’s “Beloved Horse Statue,” erected in 1993 to honor the horses that perished in war and to commemorate their contributions. The monument stands as a quiet reminder of gratitude and respect, giving this GPS course a special sense of meaning.
The course winds through Matsuyama’s academic district, beginning near Ehime University and Matsuyama University. The calm, student-friendly streets provide a pleasant backdrop as you make your way toward the Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital area. From there, the course continues to the Ehime Prefectural Convention Hall, a central hub for cultural events and performances.
Along the way, participants can explore Issoan, a small hermitage associated with the renowned haiku poet Santoka Taneda, offering a glimpse into Matsuyama’s deep literary heritage. The course also skirts the foothills of Miyukijiyama Mountain, where lush greenery and gentle elevations create a refreshing contrast to the urban scenery.
Art lovers will appreciate passing by the Bindeisha Vidro Diamante Glass Museum, known for its exquisite glasswork displays, and the nearby Seki Art Museum, which showcases contemporary artworks and regional culture. These cultural spots make the walk both visually and intellectually engaging.
The course concludes near Kamiichiman Station, a charming local stop on the Iyo Railway line that reflects the laid-back, everyday rhythm of life in Matsuyama.
With its blend of history, nature, education, and art—and a theme rooted in honoring the spirit of horses—this 11km GPS art course offers a meaningful and inspiring way to start the year. Draw your own horse across the cityscape and welcome the New Year with reflection and creativity.
TOURISTS SPOT
- Ehime Prefecture Gokoku Shrine
- Ehime University
- Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital
- Matsuyama University
- Ehime Prefectural Convention Hall (formerly Himegin Hall)
- Issoan
- Miyukijiyama Mountain
- Bindeisha Vidro Diamante Glass Museum
- Seki Art Museum
- Kamiichiman Station
REFFERENCE
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 2,000 courses.
