
Since its inception in Canada in 2003, Zombie Walk for Kids has spread to England, Australia, Mexico, and, at last, Japan. And, like a proper infection, it’s really catching!
Though still focused mostly on major cities like Sapporo, Osaka, and Tokyo, the events are growing and gaining lots of shuffling, moaning followers. Just a few days ago, one was held at the Arakawa Amusement Park in Tokyo–and we have the horrifyingly adorable photos of zombie kids to prove it!
The event was for “kids 3 and up and their families,” so it was less Night of the Living Dead and more Nightmare Before Christmas, but that doesn’t mean it was any less fun. Even better, it was free to join! You can’t beat free, can you?
All around the event grounds, there were professional make-up artists zombifying the kids. Some of the make-up was so good, a mother wouldn’t recognize her kid if he walked up and bit her on the leg.
At first, the kids were kind of confused or nervous, not that we could blame them. But, children being children, it didn’t take them long to get into it, and some of them were even finishing their make-up by themselves. That’s right, take the initiative, little ones! Soon the miniature zombie horde will be unstoppable! Bwahahaha–uhhh, sorry.
With their make-up done, the kids changed into something a bit spookier and then it was time for the lessons! Explaining how best to shuffle and move around like the walking dead, an instructor gave the kids advice while demonstrating the techniques. Fortunately, they didn’t teach the kids how to go for the jugular.
With everyone ready, it was time for photos! Because what parent doesn’t want photos of their children dressed up in silly costumes for blackmail when they bring a new boyfriend or girlfriend home in their teens?
D’awwww! How adorable!
Photos/future blackmail secured, it was time to go for a walk around the park. Despite the clear and imminent danger of letting zombies loose in an amusement park, officials did nothing to hold back the horde.
The kids (and their parents) got to go on some of the rides, enjoying their flesh-eating family time. Regular park patrons, horrified out of their wits, couldn’t even run. Instead they just took photos. Pro-tip for the next zombie apocalypse you find yourself in: Don’t take photos–just run!
▼Wait…is that one of Santa’s little helpers? Gasp! Mr. Claus is using zombie labor!?
Just before lunch, the kids were gathered for one more photo shoot, and they showed off their nigh-perfect zombie shuffles and groans from beyond the grave.
▼We’re not sure what she is, but we are sure she’s the cutest thing you’ll see today.
Finally, if you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when a horde of zombie tykes swarm a merry-go-round, here’s a video showing the stomach-turning incident. Horrible! Horrible, we tell you!
The event was sponsored by the Japan Obaka Kids Association, which aims to “use children’s ‘obaka’ power to bring happiness to the world.” In case you’re wondering, “obaka” is the polite form of “baka,” or, in English, “stupid.” Think of Kids Say the Darnedest Things and it should make sense.
And we would gladly welcome more of that kind of “stupid” in the world. It was incredibly fun to watch the zombie kids running and playing–we wouldn’t even complain if they’d decided to bite us!
References: Japan Obaka Kids Association
Photos by RocketNews24














Is this the zombie apocalypse?! Horde of walking dead spotted shambling through Yoyogi Park
Hello Kitty theme park to be overrun by zombies this summer, young children barred from entering
Rural Japanese town overrun with elderly zombies in attempt to control wild boar population
Sanrio turns one of its most popular characters into a zombie for new Tokyo undead haunted house
USJ’s 2025 Halloween event will spook you by day and night with zombies galore and more
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Devil Tribe taking over Tokyo’s Hello Kitty theme park, admission free for kids two and younger!
There’s a real-world Pokémon Sandshrew Park in Japan, and it’s adorable!【Photos】
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
We take part in a T-Rex race at Nara, Japan, turns out to be a wet and wild event