External Publication

Chubu Charity Walkathon - Sun. May 24 at Meijo Koen

Nagoya Buzz May 22, 2026

Countless Steps, One Community

Every year, the Chubu Walkathon takes overMeijo park next to Nagoya Castle. The smell of food stalls gets to you before the stage does. Kids disappear toward the activities. Someone you haven't seen since last spring taps you on the shoulder near the walk route.

This year marks the 35th event which runs Sunday, May 24 at Meijo Park — 10:00 to 15:30, rain or shine.

Thirty-five years The Wlakathon started in 1992 at what's now Hisaya-odori Park in Sakae, organized by Robert Roche , Harry Hill , and Henry Gomez of the American Business Community of Nagoya , together with Seisho Kondo. About 200 people walked a loop around the park that first year. The idea was straightforward: Nagoya's international business community wanted to put something back into the city it was operating in.

It grew. The walk moved from "Central Park" to Meijo Park, then Tsuruma Park, then out to Moricoro Park in Nagakute, where it ran from 2011 through 2020. COVID moved it online. After COVID it came back in person, at Meijo Park, where it's been every year since.

The American Business Community of Nagoya eventually became the ACCJ Chubu Chapter , which now organizes the event alongside Nagoya International School.

Supporting Local Organisations Since 1992, the Walkathon has raised over ¥196 million for Chubu-area charities. In 2025, ¥4.3 million went to 16 local organizations — children's homes, scholarships, phone counseling for minors, domestic violence shelters, developmental disability support, food banks, service-dog training, and bone-marrow donor programs. Sometimes difficult, but always meaningful work.

Shin, a Grade 9 student at Nagoya International School Drew this years winning T-shirt design

The T-shirt Each year, Nagoya International School students compete to design the event T-shirt. This year's winner is Shin, a Grade 9 student, who built the image from individual footprints arranged into the shape of a shachihoko — Nagoya's defining symbol. The concept: 35 years of a community moving together, one step at a time. One person, one footprint. Together, in the city we share.

What's Happens at the Event? The day runs 10:00 to 15:30. The opening ceremony is held at 10:00. Then the walk begins at 10:30 with live music and performances running on the main stage throughout. There is a Student raffle at 12:45, the main raffle at 14:00 before closing at 15:30.

Food Stalls and Craft Beer Come hungry! Food stalls are a major reason to come — lunch, snacks, drinks, and the inevitable second round of whatever smelled best the first time you walked past. International food, Marche vendors, kids' activities and games.

Hyappa Brews - Craft Beer Made Locally

The stage runs throughout the day with live music and performances, while kids can burn through their energy on games, activities, crafts, and the kind of festival distractions that make a park afternoon much easier for parents. Raffle prizes give you another reason to hang around and watch other people win plane tickets, hotel stays, electronics, gadgets, and assorted Shop Japan mysteries and more!!

The Walk - Optional But Enjoyable The walk trails through the shady paths of Meijo Park. Go at your own pace with friends, family, coworkers, classmates, or people you met five minutes earlier. It is not compulsory. If you just want to hang out listening to local music at the stage while nursing a few beers, join the rest of the people that come to relax.

How to Participate Entry and raffle participation are through raffle tickets:¥3,000 for adults, ¥1,000 for kids and students. All raffle-ticket proceeds go directly to the charities. Tickets are available online via Square (credit card). But at the park, you should bring cash.

Food, drink, and activities use a separate system: Food & Activity Tickets are sold in sheets of 10 for ¥1,000. Booths don't take cash directly — you buy ticket sheets at the park and use those. Charity-operated booths may accept cash for some items. Unused tickets at the end of the day are non-refundable and become part of the donation.

Anniversary T-shirts (featuring Shin's design) are available at the park for raffle-ticket holders at ¥1,000, while supplies last.

Cheers for Charity This year the fundraising reaches into Nagoya's bar and restaurant scene before you even get to Meijo Park. Through the Cheers for Charity campaign, Hyappa Brews have produced special beers with ¥100 from every sale going to Walkathon-supported causes. You can drink toward the cause at The Hungry Moose in Fushimi, Burgers Republic in Imaike, Japan Craft Beer & Wine GRILLMAN, Izakaya Ja Nai! in Okazaki, and Midtown BBQ near Meieki. Customers 20 and up.

After Party at Shooters Brian Cullen and Sarah Mulvey close out the main stage at 15:05–15:25. If that's not enough, they're playing an evening set at Shooters in Fushimi from 19:30. Folk, pop, Irish traditional. A great finale to an eventful Sunday well spent!

Share this post!

The Details

**35th Chubu Walkathon International Charity Festival

Date:** Sunday, May 24, 2026 10:00–15:30 Rain or shine

Venue: Meijo Park Near Nagoya Castle

Chubu Walkathon Website

Schedule

10:00 — Opening ceremony 10:30 — Walk begins / Music and performances 12:45 — Student raffle 14:00 — Main raffle 15:30 — Closing

Advance Tickets can be purchased online HERE

Raffle tickets; Adults: ¥3,000 Kids/students: ¥1,000

Food & Activity Tickets ¥1,000 per sheet 10 × ¥100 tickets

Please Bring cash On-site credit card / electronic payments not accepted

T-shirts Available at the park for raffle-ticket holders ¥1,000 while supplies last

Organized by ACCJ Chubu Chapter Nagoya International School

Access

Meijo Subway Line Meijo Koen Station M08 Exit 2 Approx. 3 min walk

Alternative route Meijo Subway Line Nagoyajo Station M07 Exit 7 Approx. 10 min walk north along Otsu-dori

Using the Nagoya Japan Muicipal Subway SystemThis simple map and explanation will help you understand the Nagoya Subway system and some money-saving tips!Nagoya BuzzNagoya Buzz

Parking Paid parking available Limited spaces Fills quickly on event day

Meijo Park MAP

Shooters After Party

Featuring Folk, pop, Irish traditional music by Brian Cullen and Sarah Mulvey, Starts at 19:30

Venue Shooters Sports Bar & Grill Pola Nagoya Building 2F 2-9-26 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya

Nearest Station Fushimi Station Higashiyama Line — H09 Tsurumai Line — T07

Exit Exit 5

Walking Directions From Fushimi Station Exit 5 , continue straight in the same direction for about 2 minutes. You will bewalking toward Shirakawa Park and the Nagoya City Science Museum, with the large Fushimi intersection behind you.Shooters is on the 2nd floor of the Pola Nagoya Building.

Alternative Access Osu Kannon Station Tsurumai Line — T08 About 10 minutes on foot.

Shooter's MAP