Whoa! Sensei @ Nishitsu, who supports Nishitsu as both a Nishitsu writer and GPS runner, is in a tough spot.
・A blood test showed inflammation levels over 100 times the normal value → CT scan found “massive pneumonia right behind the heart”
・He was apparently admitted to the hospital urgently (until at least 1/15)
・His long-awaited 10th Fukuotoko challenge is off
・But he’s already moving toward his next world project!
Right before his 10th Fukuotoko challenge
He wrote, “The fatigue from living on the edge and running nonstop for 10 years finally took a toll on my lungs all at once.” He had been taking on the challenge every year without a break, and since Shachomi (back in her president days) joined him for his 7th attempt too, this really is disappointing.
But this is Sensei @ Nishitsu. He’s saying things like, “This hospitalization is a gift to help me prepare for the project.”
Sensei @ Nishitsu, also known as Naoki Shimizu,
drew “Nishinomiya LOVE” on his very first GPS-RUN and confessed his love to his beloved hometown, Nishinomiya, on Valentine’s Day.
It was at Nishinomiya Shrine that he first realized he could write the characters for Nishinomiya on a map. Nishinomiya Shrine was also, in fact, the inspiration behind his own name, “Naoki.” It’s a place Sensei @ Nishitsu has a deep connection with.
Crowdfunding page scheduled to go live tonight
Sensei’s next challenge is the FIFA World Cup Support Project 2026. Sensei is such a soccer kid that he even plays pickup soccer in Nishinomiyahama
(From the crowdfunding image)
Using three countries, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, across three cities as his canvas, he plans to take on GPS art drawing the official World Cup mascots.
(From the crowdfunding image)
The project period is expected to be April 29 to around June 30, 2026. It says he’s heading to the U.S. on a one-way ticket…
If total support reaches 3 million yen, he also seems to have a plan to go on an even bigger adventure: drawing geoglyphs while traveling all the way around the world.
Crowdfunding page here
GPS RUNNER GO WORLD 2026 (crowdfunding page)
・3,900 yen (3-meal support)
・10,000 yen (full support)
・15,000 yen (1-day sponsor)
※There are plenty of other options too. Check the crowdfunding page for details〜
Corporate and organization sponsors are also wanted
According to Sensei’s post, sponsorship slots start from 300,000 yen. He wrote that through collaborations, logo placement on merchandise, introductions at report events, and more, his goal is to give supporters “double the return.”
Past Nishitsu articles (Sensei @ Nishitsu)
・Looks like Sensei @ Nishitsu is going to run 3,700 km across the Japanese archipelago. Starting from Nishinomiya Shrine
・Scams, stray dogs, getting abandoned by a taxi… Sensei @ Nishitsu is back. His 90 days in Peru were intense
・Nishitsu writer “Sensei @ Nishitsu” was also featured in the Yomiuri Shimbun. He’s currently taking on a 3,000 km challenge in Peru
・Sensei @ Nishitsu was also featured in the Kobe Shimbun. One hardship after another, including an injury
・Behind the scenes before and after the start of Nishinomiya Shrine’s “Fukuotoko Race” 〖Nishitsu Report〗
Finally
First and foremost, the top priority is for Sensei to make a full recovery. So as Nishitsu, we want to build up whatever support we can, within a reasonable range.
Sensei, let’s do next year’s Fukuotoko challenge〜. And let’s eat taiyaki together too!
