In an era where relationships can be fleeting, Yasushi Takahashi’s extraordinary effort to propose to his girlfriend stands as a testament to enduring love and creativity. After eight years together, Takahashi embarked on a remarkable journey across Japan, spanning 7,160 kilometers over six months, to create the world’s largest GPS drawing with a heartfelt message: “Marry Me.”
Back in 2008, Takahashi, inspired by his determination to make a unique proposal, resigned from his busy job and set out armed with a GPS logger. Facing the challenges of navigating Japan’s varied terrains—often discovering that reality didn’t match his maps—Takahashi persisted through rain, snow, and even earthquakes. Despite setbacks, such as getting stuck on narrow paths near rivers, he remained undeterred, eventually crafting his proposal across the islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku, with Hokkaido forming a heart pierced by an arrow.
Reflecting on his journey, Takahashi recalled moments of serenity amidst challenges, like the mist-shrouded Lake Mashu in Hokkaido, where he camped and savored local cuisine. His dedication paid off when he uploaded the GPS data to Google Earth and revealed the surprise to his girlfriend.
Although his girlfriend initially didn’t understand the English message, the sentiment was clear enough for her to say yes. Takahashi believes that a marriage proposal should be a once-in-a-lifetime memory, cherishing the wild adventure he undertook, despite its quirks and challenges.
Today, Yasushi Takahashi and his wife remain happily married with two children. His creative proposal garnered widespread media attention, prompting him to embark on a second career as a GPS artist, sharing more of his intricate drawings with the world.
As Chicago-based writer and podcaster Case Kenny once said, “You don’t need to make sense to everyone. The right people will appreciate your kind of crazy.” Yasushi Takahashi’s extraordinary gesture not only captured his wife’s heart but also etched a lasting mark across Japan’s archipelago, demonstrating that true love knows no bounds.
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