(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

If you find yourself anywhere outside of Misawa Air Base, around Aomori Prefecture, this holiday season, you may come across a peculiar sight. Holiday trucks known as “Santa-go” are spreading cheer throughout the winter months.

These mobile advertisements were started in 2017 by patisserie Arpajon and water-purification company Ito Shoji in Hachinohe City and became an instant hit.

Now, locals look forward to the season and the brightly decorated trucks including a 16.4-meter-long “Super Jambo Santa-Go” as they circle around the wintry roads.

Earlier this spring, Arpajon filed for bankruptcy jeopardizing the future of the Santa-Go tradition. Ito Shoji, however, decided to keep the tradition going with the help of over 30 other local companies.

This year, Santa-Go trucks will be expanding their holiday spirit to neighboring Iwate Prefecture through Dec. 25. delivering Christmas cheer and smiles to children (young and old).

Yoshihito Morita, an employee at the Misawa Commissary, said he stumbled upon a Santa-Go at the Lake Ogawarako- Koyukan Road Station on Dec. 12.

During the season, Christmas trucks visit more than 14 points in the Prefectures, including Higashidori Village (Dec. 16), Hachinohe City (19 – 25), Takko Town (23), Gonohe Town (24) and Hashikami Town (25).

So, when you spot a beautiful Christmas-wrapping truck around your home in Misawa, be sure to share the photos with us on Facebook!

For more about Christmas-wrapping trucks, visit X at https://x.com/itotrading_xmas

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)