Tokyo Yamathon walkers loop the Yamanote Line for quake relief

The latest in a long line of fundraisers converted post-March 11 to help the people of Tohoku, this weekend’s Tokyo Yamathon is also sure to be one of the more challenging.

Organized by the Oxfam Japan International Volunteer Group, the event sees teams of three or four set off early on Saturday, April 9, from Harajuku Station with the goal of circumnavigating the entire Yamanote Line (34.5 kilometers on the track alone, we're told) within 12 hours. On foot.

All proceeds from the ¥6,000 entrance fee and collected donations will go to earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in the northeast of Japan.

Equally surely, all participants are under orders to decamp at the end of the day for cold beverages of choice at the Footnik Pub in Osaki.

Last year, 110 people took part and this year’s roster is already well over 200, which at least ensures the rallying point at the main entrance to Yoyogi Park will be a little more lively than usual for 6:15 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

Anyone keen on running through all 29 of the Yamanote stations will find the Footnik open at 11 a.m., by the way. Full details of the event are on the Yamathon website.