Global Activities | GPS RUNNER Naoki Shimizu

Taiwan

Known nationwide as "Naoki Sensei" — the beloved GPS teacher

In 2018, after Naoki drew a GPS art message of support for victims of the Hualien earthquake, he became known across Taiwan as "Naoki Sensei" (Teacher Naoki). This led to an official Japan-Taiwan friendship meeting with the Mayor of Hualien.

In 2019, he completed a bicycle circumnavigation of Taiwan (~1,000km). Then in 2023, he achieved the unprecedented feat of running around Taiwan — 1,135km in 24 consecutive full marathons. In Taiwan, he's affectionately compared to the "third most famous Japanese person" after Hiroshi Abe and Naomi Watanabe.

1,135km

Taiwan Circumnavigation

24 days

Consecutive Full Marathons

10+

Artworks in Taiwan

Key Milestones

2018.05GPS art for Hualien earthquake recovery

2019.01Bicycle circumnavigation of Taiwan (~1,000km). Met Hualien mayor for Japan-Taiwan friendship.

2023.0524 consecutive full marathons — Taiwan circumnavigation 1,135km completed

2023.06Simultaneous "LOVE" GPS art in Japan and Taiwan

Peru

4,600km "Alpaca Geoglyph" — a masterpiece that captured the world's attention

In 2024, Naoki spent 90 days traversing the entirety of Peru to create a 4,600km giant "Alpaca Geoglyph." Along the way he was scammed out of $3,000, attacked by wild dogs, and stranded at 4,000m in the Andes after being abandoned by a taxi. Despite everything, he completed the monumental GPS artwork. It was covered as news in 7 countries, led by Spain's EFE news agency.

4,600km

Alpaca Geoglyph

90 days

Duration

7 countries

Media Coverage

United States

Drawing Lincoln and Shohei Ohtani over Los Angeles

In 2024, on his way back from Peru, Naoki stopped in the USA. With perfect timing for Independence Day, he used the streets of Los Angeles as his canvas to draw Abraham Lincoln. He also drew Japan's pride — Shohei Ohtani, then making waves in the MLB.

Lincoln (Los Angeles)

Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles)

Europe

GPS art expedition across 8 European countries

Sep–Oct 2019: GPS runs across 8 European countries. In France, Naoki drew Mickey Mouse around the Palace of Versailles. In Germany, Darth Vader and Yoda clinking glasses. In Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo. Each artwork was inspired by each country's culture.

In October, he presented to 200 adidas Runtastic employees at their headquarters in Austria, sharing his mission as the World Ambassador for the app's 160M users.

European Artworks

France — Cheers with Wine

France — Mickey Mouse

Portugal — Ronaldo

Portugal — Age of Discovery

Spain — Picasso's White Dove

Italy — Gondola

Albania — Double-headed Eagle

RUN FOR SMILE — Connected art across 12 European cities

RUN FOR SMILE — Connected GPS art across 12 European cities

Hong Kong

Dragon and Snoopy drawn across Hong Kong Island

In 2025, Naoki created two artworks in Hong Kong. Using the coastline of Hong Kong Island, he drew a Dragon (龍), and then ran the entire perimeter of Hong Kong Island to draw Snoopy. Running through the vibrant energy of this Asian city pushed the possibilities of GPS art even further.

Dragon (龍)

Snoopy (Full Hong Kong Island circuit)

Running the World