Housing and Relocation in Japan; Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Kobe: Walkathon Rocks in the Wet!

Nagoya was struck by a rouge day of wetness for the Walkathon this year, but the rain certainly didn’t dampen the hearts of the more than 2,000 people that walked through green Tsuruma Park to help the needy of the Chubu area. The smiles in the photographs say it all; foreigners, Japanese, school kids, corporate employees, senior citizens and all walks of life, getting together to give back to the community we live and work in.

This was the 19th Annual Walkathon, and while attendance levels did suffer in the rain, we set a record for the largest volunteer attendance yet; more than 250 people that volunteered their time on the day to make the event a success (volunteers are in the yellow T.Shirts

).

Participants were encouraged to walk for charity by completing 4 x 1.25 km laps of Tsuruma Park, while receiving different colored wrist bands for each lap. Proceeds taken from the 2,000 yen tickets for walking, from which you receive the famous “Walkathon T. Shirt”, go to local organizations including orphanages, the homeless, victims of child abuse, service dogs, the physically and mentally challenged and many other needy people. Fourteen of the recipient charities also participated in the event this year, and helped us to educate the Chubu Community about charity work and its importance.

This year’s special addition was IBM Japan’s “IBM on Demand Community” that enabled kids to enjoy science in the park, and as per tradition, Boeing Japan had the boys and girls making paper planes and “fizzing” rocket launches.

Further kids activities were available in terms of a stamp rally amongst the charities, face painting, a beads corner, Bingo in English, animal balloons and generally just a bunch of fun for all.

This is not to mention the stage that was packed action from start to finish; with the best musicians and performers in Nagoya and then with 3 raffles that drew in the audience for their chance to win return air tickets overseas.

What a truly fantastic day. Great people, in Greater Nagoya, supporting great causes and great smiles….. all day long. The result should be 6-7 million yen in contributions to local Chubu Charities and we are all lining up to be involved again next year for the 20th Nagoya Walkathon!