Life at Harrow Appi Japan is shaped by more than what happens in the classroom. Our school events celebrate community, character, and competition — from snow-covered mountainsides to the stage, the trail, and the world’s cultures. Here are some of the highlights from our calendar.
Long Ducker
The Long Ducker is a cherished tradition originating at Harrow on the Hill, where Harrovians, Beaks, and alumni come together for a charity run. At Harrow Appi Japan, we proudly carry on this tradition in two forms — the Green Long Ducker and the White Long Ducker — each shaped by the unique landscape and spirit of life here in Appi.
Green Long Ducker
The Green Long Ducker takes the event to the trails of Mt. Maemori. Prep students complete a 3.5km loop to mid-mountain, while Senior and Sixth Form students push on to the summit – a challenging 5km route with 500m of ascent. After the event the students run a charities fair raising money for supporting young people from vulnerable backgrounds to access the natural environment
White Long Ducker
The White Long Ducker offers a different kind of challenge, trading mountain trails for the snow-covered golf course. Students run in House groups pulling staff on sledges around two laps of a challenging cross–country route. Every member of the House counts towards the scores in this competitive and enjoyable event.
International Cultural Day
Held in honour of Japan’s Culture Day (文化の日), International Cultural Day is a vibrant celebration of the wonderfully diverse community at Harrow Appi Japan. Over 300 students and 160 staff come together with others from the local community as the campus comes alive with student-led stalls showcasing food, traditions, and stories from around the world. The event is also a chance to give back with over 300,000 JPY raised for local charities.
alpine festival
The Alpine festival allows us to welcome students from across the Harrow Family to our mountain environment. It is a week of learning, fun and community engagement which concludes with races through the gates involving competition from Harrow Appi Japan junior year groups.
House Stomp and Shout
House Stomp and Shout sees students dedicate weeks to perfecting their dance routines and vocal performances before taking to the stage to compete for House glory. The atmosphere is electric as each House brings creativity, confidence, and serious competitive spirit to the spotlight — making it one of the highlights of the school calendar.
The Annual Igloo Building Competition
One of Harrow Appi’s most exciting House competitions, the Annual Igloo Building Competition sees students go head-to-head to create the most impressive igloo, with guidance from professors at Aomori University. Over three days of planning and construction, teams transform blocks of snow into remarkable architectural feats. The most adventurous students take the challenge even further by spending the night inside their creations, enduring temperatures of –12°C.