Countless Steps, One Community
Every year, the Chubu Walkathon takes over Meijo 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.
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.
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!
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
Nagoya 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 be walking 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
Nagoya Buzz
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