The online group “I LOVE YOKOHAMA” will hold the “Hamakko Santa Memorial Day” event on December 21, where participants dressed as Santa Claus will clean the streets.

I LOVE YOKOHAMA is a network of volunteers who love Yokohama, formed in April 2004. They engage in community contribution activities such as clean-ups and town walking events. The Santa Memorial Day started in 2006, making this the 19th iteration.

Participants will gather near the stadium exit of Kannai Station. Volunteers dressed in Christmas costumes like Santa and reindeer will walk through the city, picking up trash along the way to Canal Park.

They will also invite children passing by to join the clean-up. When a child hands over collected trash, a participant dressed as Santa will “exchange the trash for a present” and give it to the child.

Anyone who “loves Yokohama” can participate, with no restrictions based on residence or age. Cleaning tools such as tongs and garbage bags will be provided by the organizers.

Prior to the event, they are currently collecting “presents” for Santa to give out. Acceptable items include stationery, stuffed toys, clothing, and corporate novelty goods. Donations will be accepted and wrapped on December 7 and 13 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the coworking space “Sakura Works Kannai” (3 Aioicho, Naka Ward, Yokohama).

The event welcomes Santa costumes but they are not mandatory, encouraging easy participation. The organizers also stated they know which areas have a lot of trash and plan to conduct a thorough year-end cleaning of Yokohama.

On the day, participants will gather at 10:00 AM and are scheduled to finish around 12:30 PM. The event will be canceled in case of rain.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a major port city in Japan, located south of Tokyo, which transformed from a small fishing village into a bustling international hub after its port opened to foreign trade in 1859. This opening, following the end of Japan’s period of isolation, led to the establishment of one of the country’s first foreign settlements and rapid modernization. Today, it is known for its historic red brick warehouses, vibrant Chinatown, and its iconic waterfront with landmarks like the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel.

Kannai Station

Kannai Station is a major railway station located in the Naka Ward of Yokohama, Japan, which opened in 1872 as one of the country’s first railway stations. It serves as a key gateway to the city’s historic and administrative district, providing direct access to landmarks like Yokohama Stadium and the Yokohama Chinatown.

Canal Park

Canal Park is a vibrant waterfront district in Duluth, Minnesota, located at the western tip of Lake Superior. Its history is rooted in the city’s industrial past, as the area was once dominated by warehouses and rail yards serving the busy Duluth Ship Canal. Today, it has been transformed into a popular tourist destination featuring shops, restaurants, a maritime museum, and the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge.

Sakura Works Kannai

Sakura Works Kannai is a modern commercial and cultural complex located in Yokohama’s Kannai district, Japan, which opened in 2020. It occupies the historic site of the former Yokohama Sakura Works, a pioneering heavy industrial factory established in the late 19th century that built Japan’s first steam locomotives. The complex honors this industrial heritage through its name and design while functioning as a contemporary hub for offices, shops, and dining.