One of the important features of Google Maps is their Street View. When traveling to a new place, it is very helpful to have that 360-degree view of your destination so you are sure you are in the right spot when you pull up. Since its release in 2007, it has been a tool of convenience to the world over. It also helps to provide virtual tours across the globe for those that cannot afford to travel (and, yes, they do offer museum tours and parks tours of several Disney locations!) or never want to leave the house (like artist Jacqui Kenny).
Google Street View has even had some fun twists, like an interior view of Doctor Who‘s TARDIS, and the Google Pegman becoming Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, when zoomed into Loch Ness, United Kingdom, and the now unavailable “Shire to Mordor” directions Easter Egg (for those that never got the chance, Google’s directions were simply a warning: “Use caution – One does not simply walk into Mordor”). Even Google Maps gets in on the fun from time to time, like this time last year when they turned the map into Ms Pac-Man and the fact that when Google Maps: Moon was first launched, a full zoom was a landscape of cheese.
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Now, it appears, there will be a new treat for Street View users! In the city of Odate, in the Japanese prefecture of Akita, three dogs are strapping on cameras and providing a dog’s perspective of the city. Akita pups Asuka, Ako, and Puko are working to show off their city, the birthplace of the Akita breed.
The entire city is not yet mapped out, but the main attractions and Akita hangouts, like Akita Dog Friendship Division, Karuizawa Urashiyama District Mountain Zone, old dog shrine, footbath of Otakionsen Tsuru癒, and Akita dog Hall are available (all pointed out by Google Japan). To access the images produced by the pups, you will need to click on a location and scroll through the uploaded pictures. The goal of the project will be to eventually provide views of the area in the different seasons and expand to even more local favorites.
Watch the Google announcement video below
As you explore Odate, Akita Prefecture, Japan, what other locations are you finding fluffy Akita tail tours? Let us know so we can share with the world! Tag us on Twitter with a link or screenshot! And remember: They’re good dogs, Brent.
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