A Sea of Santas
The Santa Parade, or Santa Run, is a charity event that has become a holiday tradition around the world. In Japan, it began in Osaka in 2009, and came to Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Gaien in 2018. Now, the 7th annual Santa Parade Tokyo will take the form of a parade stretching along a 2.5-kilometer route from Harajuku Station to Shibuya Station on November 16. Participants will walk dressed as Santa Claus to raise money for children battling illnesses in hospitals in Japan and overseas, and spread joy through the magic of Santa Claus.
Through the efforts of the first Santa Parade, over 1,000 hospitalized children were able to receive Christmas gifts. The proceeds from this event will be used for sick children in Japan, and for Massai communities in Kenya through the charity partner Free The Children Japan.
The event will kick off at Yoyogi Park’s Event Plaza with registration opening at 10:00, and the parade officially starting at 13:15. Participation fees are ¥3300 for adults, ¥2200 for students and ¥1100 for kids (three year olds to junior high school students). The participation fee also includes a Santa costume. Participants can register online.
