Artist treks through Japan with GPS tracker to spell out 'Marry Me' across islands


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There aren't many marriage proposals that can be seen from space, but for this traveller, an epic journey through Japan was also a unique marriage proposal.

Japanese artist Yasushi Takahashi – a.k.a Yassan - left his job to travel through Japan, covering more than 4,349 miles (7,000 kilometres) in six months, mostly on foot and sometimes by car, ferry or bicycle.

GPS technology tracked his every step as he journeyed from Hokkaido island to Hyodo Cliff on Kyushu island where the trek ended.

The final stage of Yassan's romantic journey included an arrow struck heart after the giant proposal 

The final stage of Yassan's romantic journey included an arrow struck heart after the giant proposal 

At the end of his journey, the GPS records of his travels around the country spelled out the phrase 'Marry Me' - with an arrow through the heart sign added afterwards for good measure.

Each location was carefully planned so that the GPS tracking would spell out his romantic chosen phrase clearly.

'I wanted to write the world's biggest proposal, and I found GPS drawing was the way to do it,' Yassan said of his feat. 

Yasushi Takahashi also made a video of his entire trek to show his girlfriend afterwards. At the start of his record breaking journey he straps on his GPS tracking equipment, above

Yasushi Takahashi also made a video of his entire trek to show his girlfriend afterwards. At the start of his record breaking journey he straps on his GPS tracking equipment, above

Seen from above, the GPS tracking leaves a trail wherever Yassa walks

Seen from above, the GPS tracking leaves a trail wherever Yassa walks

Yassan quit his job to go on the trek of his home country, visiting locations the length and breadth of Japan

Yassan quit his job to go on the trek of his home country, visiting locations the length and breadth of Japan

The heartwarming expedition has been chosen to appear in a new documentary about how walking can lead to extraordinary things.

The 'Walkumentary Series' is an online project produced by Amsterdam-based agency this that + the other for the brand Hi-Tec, which aims to show how inspiring walking can be.

Yassan, then 31, quit his job in 2008 and planned a journey through Japan, taking with him a GPS device and a map. 

He documents many steps of his epic journey with a video capturing some of his favourite moments

He documents many steps of his epic journey with a video capturing some of his favourite moments

Some of his journey was taken by car but in this episode he films the aftermath of leaving the road (unhurt)

Some of his journey was taken by car but in this episode he films the aftermath of leaving the road (unhurt)

Give me an 'M': Yassan starts the first letter of his carefully planned proposal

Give me an 'M': Yassan starts the first letter of his carefully planned proposal

What is GPS anyway? 

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and is a worldwide radio-navigation system which automatically sends information to a central tracking portal.

It is used in a range of situations to monitor the location of things and people in real-time, using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. 

Microwave signals are transmitted to GPS devices to give information on location, speed of travel, time and direction. 

A GPS tracking system can give real-time and historic navigation data on any kind of journey.

His purpose was two-fold: to experience Japan fully, and also to draw a special message for his girlfriend using GPS tracking technology.

As a part of his unique marriage proposal, Yassan also created a seven-minute video describing his epic journey through the country.

The video is split into seven 'chapters' and shows various stages of his trek, starting at Hokkaido island.

Video footage of his experiences include him walking along on dificult roads, climbing Mount Fuji and visiting hot springs.

Yassan's legwork is officially the world's largest marriage proposal, and also holds the Guinness Record for the world's biggest GPS drawing, covering 7,164 kilometers. 

Yasushi Takahashi split his video into seven 'chapters' documenting his journey

Yasushi Takahashi split his video into seven 'chapters' documenting his journey

Yassan journeyed from Hokkaido island to Hyodo Cliff on Kyushu island where his trek ended

Yassan journeyed from Hokkaido island to Hyodo Cliff on Kyushu island where his trek ended

Not only a record breaking trek but a particularly romantic use of GPS

Not only a record breaking trek but a particularly romantic use of GPS

All lit up at night, the giant proposal is the only one in the world which can be seen from space

All lit up at night, the giant proposal is the only one in the world which can be seen from space

And was it a happy ending? Luckily, yes, despite the fact that it took six months.

'It wasn't a waste of time. After I explained, she said yes. It is a sweet memory,' says Yassan at the end of the documentary. 



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