13 years ago, a Japanese man made up his mind to propose to his girlfriend. However, instead of a simple ring or a fancy dinner, he came up with a grand and unique gesture—he quit his job and traveled over 7,000 km across Japan to create the largest GPS-drawn marriage proposal in history.
In 2008, Yasushi Takahashi, also known as “Yassan”, set out on a half-year-long journey, meticulously planning his route to spell out the words “Marry Me” across Japan, complete with a heart symbol at the end. His dedication and determination earned him a Guinness World Record for creating the largest GPS drawing ever recorded.
A Journey of Love and Discovery
To complete this massive undertaking, Yassan sold his belongings, quit his job, and embarked on an adventure that took him from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. He spent months navigating unfamiliar terrain, often sleeping in his car, enduring harsh weather conditions including heavy rain, snow, and even earthquakes.
Despite the challenges, he took moments to enjoy local cultures and cuisines across different regions of Japan. He later reflected that, having never traveled outside of Tokyo before, this trip allowed him to experience firsthand the places he had only read about in books.
Google Recognizes His Love Story
On April 11, 2019, a decade after his remarkable journey, Google officially recognized Yassan’s achievement. They created a short video featuring his story and shared it on their official Twitter account.
For over 10 years, Tokyo resident Yasushi “Yassan” Takahashi has been creating GPS art with @googleearth and #StreetView—but it was his very first drawing that was his biggest, in more ways than one → https://t.co/O9dYPHyauy pic.twitter.com/dEXmwp9suc
— Google (@Google) April 10, 2019
In the video, Yassan describes his incredible adventure, highlighting both the struggles and the moments of joy. He recalls how he spent countless nights camping in his car, sometimes in freezing temperatures, but also how he took time to relax, explore different localities, and experience the diverse food culture of Japan.
The Big Moment – Did She Say Yes?
After six months of relentless travel, Yassan finally completed his journey and uploaded his GPS data to Google Earth. The final image revealed a giant “Marry Me” message with a heart—a proposal unlike any other.
When he presented the surprise to his girlfriend, she admitted that she had always been wondering about his whereabouts during the journey. She was deeply moved by his devotion, and without hesitation, she said YES!
Yassan’s story is not just about a proposal but a testament to how dedication, creativity, and love can create something truly unforgettable. Today, he continues to create GPS art, turning landscapes into canvases for his unique and heartfelt messages
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