🐦 Through Literature and Samurai Legacy: A 10km Ptarmigan Art in Matsuyama 🐦
Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture is a historic castle town known for its soothing Dogo Onsen and deep literary ties to icons like Soseki Natsume. This 10km GPS art course invites you to sketch a Ptarmigan (Raicho), tracing a path around the majestic Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s twelve surviving original keeps, standing atop Mt. Katsu.
The journey begins at the quiet Shinonome Shrine, leading you up to the castle’s Shiroyama Park Honmaru Square for panoramic city views. Descending into the valley, the route weaves past architectural and cultural gems, including the historic Ehime Prefectural Government Office, the Ehime Museum of Art, the striking Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum, and the Matsuyama Civic Center. It then loops through the academic energy of the Ehime University Johoku Campus. Tracing the bird’s silhouette across this landscape beautifully contrasts the forested fortress with Matsuyama’s sophisticated modern culture.
The Ptarmigan is a sacred alpine bird and an Ice Age relic that thrives on snowy mountain peaks. Drawing this mystical messenger across the warm, historic plain of Matsuyama adds a playful, poetic touch to your journey. The hilly terrain offers a refreshing physical workout. By the time the digital bird appears on your screen, you will have connected Matsuyama’s samurai heritage and academic life with every step.
RESTAURANTS
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.
