Sendai Santa David
私は2018年からサンタクロースを始めました。
嬉しさと笑顔と思い出づくりに貢献します。
About
2021年から日本でサンタクロースを演じています。
国際サンタクロース大学：サンタクロースのビジネスに関する修了証書、2025年2月取得。
2018年12月、アメリカ合衆国ルイジアナ州ラストンのラストン・コミュニティ・シアターで上演された「34丁目の奇跡」で、クリス・クリングル（サンタクロース）を演じました。
As with most Santas, I "fell" into the role. I started when I was approached to portray Kris Kringle in the play “Miracle on 34rth Street,” Ruston Community Theatre, Ruston, Louisiana, USA, Dec 2018. I had only worked behind the scenes or played minor roles in plays before that. Could I do it? With encouragement from the director and my wife, I was able to become Santa on that stage and it was the most fun I had in the theatre. At the end of each performance, all the actors go into the audience. I was dressed in my Santa Claus outfit. I thought this might be a problem because the kids saw me on stage as an actor, but as many who become Santa Claus have said, when you put on the Santa suit, you become Santa. I was moved by the kids reactions but also by adults. My heart was touched.
When we retired from teaching and moved to Japan (my wife's home), I wondered if I could still be a Santa. But I was soon hired by an English kids' club for their Christmas party (which I do every year). Now, I am hired to be at holiday events several businesses and organizations. When I walk to catch a taxi or ride the train (the reindeer need time off to prepare for a busy Christmas Eve), I was greeted with smiles, waves, and parents (and even just adults) wanting to have their children's picture taken with Santa (which I agree to do).
One especial moment was when I was with Mrs. Claus on a subway heading home, and a young adult lady kept shyly glancing over at me. When she got off the train, she turned around to look at me and I could see at the moment in her expression that this was not a young lady in her 20s, but for a moment she was transported back in time to when she was a child. I gave her wave as the subway car's doors closed. It is for moments like these that I feel like I need to continue, and to keep working on being a better Santa.
Check Services for information about what services I offer, including costs.Need a Santa? Use the Contact Form to send your request (and to get a price quote)!
Services
My native language is English. I can speak some Japanese, but Mrs. Claus is a native Japanese speaker. While I live in Sendai, I am willing to consider events outside of Sendai. Services I can provide are listed below. Fee rates follow that list.
Greeting customers.
Posing for photos.
Interactive storytelling: reading (with props) Anpanman Christmas tales in English or Japanese.
Helping with gift exchanges.
Handing out treats or gifts.
Helping with games or other fun activities.
Spreading holiday cheer.
Fee Rates
This new fee schedule does not affect previous standing agreements (made before 21 November 2025).I offer three rates:
For non-profits, children's hospitals, and orphanages, the rates are 1,500¥ for the first hour, 750¥/hr after. For long distances from Hachiman, Aoba-ku, Sendai, there may be transportation costs added. If long travel times are involved, it may be necessary to add the cost of a modest hotel stay. These rates include the option of customers using their own cameras to have a picture taken with Santa. If I am being hired for professional photo sessions by a professional photographer, see Professional Photoshoot Sessions below.
For all others, regular rates are 3,200¥ for the first hour, 1,500¥/hr after. For long distances from Hachiman, Aoba-ku, Sendai, there may be transportation costs added. These rates include the option of customers using their own cameras to have a picture taken with Santa. If I am being hired for professional photo sessions by a professional photographer, see Professional Photoshoot Sessions below.
I am open to some negotiations. For example, for restaurants who want to hire me, instead of charging the hourly rates, a free meal for me and Mrs. Claus may be acceptable. However, for long distances from Hachiman, Aoba-ku, Sendai, there may be transportation costs added. If you want to offer this, mention this when you fill out the Contact Form.
Professional Photoshoot Sessions: If I am being hired only for paying customers to have professional photos taken of themselves or their children with Santa by a professional photographer, in addition to the regular hourly rates mentioned above, we will need to add transportation costs to and from the photoshoot; If long travel times are involved, it may be necessary to add the cost of a modest hotel stay.
Need a Santa? Use the Contact Form to send your request (and to get a price quote)!
Contact
Need a Santa? Send me a message with the following information to get a price quote:
What is your organization? (Restaurant, shopping center, community center, children's English club, orphanage, etc.)
Where will your function be held?
What day and times (start and finish)? I am available only during November to the end of December).
How many people will be there?
What activities are you requesting Santa to do (pass out gifts, read a story, be available for photos, etc.)?
Any other information you think I need to know or questions that you have.
Make sure you have read the Services section above for the services I offer and for my fee rates before submitting the form.
あなたが、一年中、クリスマスの平和な心と謙虚さ、そして人々との連帯感からくる喜びを持ち続けることができますように。
FAQs
Where do you live?
While the main Santa's workshop is at the North Pole, he lives in Lapland, Finland, on the Artic Circle. It is where all the Santas' reindeers live. But since there are now so many people in the world, more Santas are needed around the world. I live in Sendai.
Where are the reindeer?
Why are you coming by bus, taxi, or train? The reindeer are resting, preparing for the busy Christmas Eve.
When did you start being a Santa?
See the About section above.
Why did you become a Santa?
See the About section above. Short answer is: with the large world population, the first Santa needs help.