Kyoto Marathon Wooden Route Map – Laser Cut 3D Wall Art

Tools & Materials Used

xTool S1 (20W Laser Cutter)
My main machine for all maps — reliable, quiet, and large enough for A2 work. Consistent results across every project.
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xTool SafetyPro AP2 with Super Cyclone
I use the S1 indoors, so this 6-layer filtration system handles all fumes effectively. Tip: clean it regularly rather than waiting for reduced airflow or warnings.
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I use xTool equipment daily in my workshop — these are the core tools behind every map I make.

Kyoto Marathon – A Course Through History

The Kyoto Marathon is unlike most city marathons. Rather than cutting through modern business districts, the course winds through riverbanks, historic neighbourhoods, and districts rich in cultural landmarks. It is a race shaped as much by landscape and tradition as by distance.

Runners pass close to some of Kyoto’s most recognisable sites, including Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), and Kiyomizu-dera. These landmarks give the route a distinctive character that sets it apart from other international marathons.

Photo: Many of Kyoto’s well-known shrines and temples are engraved as small labelled tags across the map, adding both detail and meaning to the route.

Turning a Marathon Route into Wooden Art

This project began with a simple idea: to capture not just the line of the race, but the structure of Kyoto itself.

The map is built in layered wood:

• The full marathon route highlighted across the city
• Start and finish markers engraved into the surface
• Hand-sprayed blue river layers flowing through Kyoto
• Engraved terrain contours showing the surrounding hills
• Primary road networks for clarity and orientation
• Small engraved landmark tags marking key temples and shrines

Rather than producing a printed poster, the aim was to create depth and permanence. The result is a 3D wooden wall map designed as a lasting keepsake.

A Meaningful Gift for Runners

Whether you completed the Kyoto Marathon, are training for it, or want to commemorate a personal milestone, this piece is designed to hold meaning beyond race day.

• A marathon finisher gift
• A retirement or milestone gift
• A travel keepsake from Kyoto