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The Chubu Walkathon
A Partnership Between the American Chamber of Commerce Japan and NIS, with support from the entire Nagoya community.
For more than three decades, the ACCJ/NIS Walkathon has brought together students, families, businesses, volunteers, and the wider Nagoya community around a simple but powerful idea: Communities are strongest when they care for one another.
What began in 1992 as a small community fundraiser has grown into one of Nagoya's longest-running charitable events. Today, it remains a celebration of partnership, service, and gratitude, reflecting the shared commitment of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), Nagoya International School, and countless community members who believe in making a positive difference.
Save the Date!
The 36th Annual ACCJ & NIS Walkathon will take place at Meijo Park on Sunday, May 16, 2027.
A Community Tradition
The Walkathon has become much more than an annual charity event. It is a day when students, parents, alumni, businesses, volunteers, performers, sponsors, and community organizations come together to celebrate generosity, friendship, and shared purpose. Whether walking the route, enjoying performances, visiting activity booths, or simply spending time together, every participant contributes to the spirit that has defined the Walkathon for more than three decades. It is a reminder that meaningful change happens when communities come together.
Giving Back to the Community We Call Home
The Walkathon was founded with a spirit of gratitude. Members of Nagoya's international community wanted a meaningful way to give back to the city and region that had welcomed them. Together with NIS, local businesses, volunteers, and charitable organizations, they created an event that continues to strengthen connections between Nagoya's international and local communities more than 35 years later.
While the event has grown over the years, its purpose has never changed: to bring people together in support of organizations that improve the lives of others.
More Than a Fundraiser
Each year, funds raised through the Walkathon support local charitable organizations serving some of the most vulnerable members of our community. These organizations provide essential services, including support for children and families, people experiencing homelessness, women's shelters, disability services, vocational training, healthcare initiatives, and educational opportunities. Together, they make a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of people throughout the Nagoya region.
The Walkathon has also helped inspire long-term initiatives such as the Chubu Children's Fund, extending its impact well beyond a single day each year.
Learn more about the organizations that receive funding HERE.
Service in Action
For NIS students, the Walkathon is more than an annual event. It is an opportunity to experience what it means to contribute to something larger than themselves.
One of the most special parts of the Walkathon is seeing our students realize that even small actions can make a meaningful difference. The event gives them the opportunity to experience service in action and understand the impact a community can have when people come together for a shared purpose.
— Minandi Zandberg, Walkathon Coordinator
Students volunteer throughout the day by welcoming guests, running games and activities, performing on stage, supporting event operations, and helping create the vibrant atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the Walkathon. Later in the year, many also attend the charity fund disbursement ceremony, meeting representatives from the organizations receiving support and seeing firsthand how their efforts have made a meaningful difference.
Looking Ahead
Thirty-five years after the very first Walkathon, families continue to walk together. Students continue to volunteer. Businesses continue to sponsor. Charitable organizations continue to receive support.
While each year's event may look a little different, its purpose remains unchanged. Together, we continue a tradition that reminds us all that service begins with a single step, and that when a community walks together, the impact reaches far beyond the finish line.
Charitable Organizations
Learn more about the many organizations that receive funding from the Walkathon event.