Heartwarming Moments at Tokyo’s Giving Machines

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Since their debut last month, Tokyo Giving Machines have offered a unique way for people to share Christmas joy by purchasing items for those in need.  Beyond the donations themselves, the Giving Machines are creating memorable experiences for families and friends.  There have been many “small world” encounters and inspiring moments.  In this article, we share a few of those stories.

The Tokuzawa family lives in Kamagaya, Chiba.  Wanting their children to personally experience the joy of giving, the parents encouraged them to earn money through chores and small “jobs” at home.  The children brought their coins to the Giving Machines, selected items they wanted to donate, and carefully placed the right amount of money into envelopes.  When his mother said, “That’s enough,” their young son replied with enthusiasm, “Mada aru yo!” (“I still have more!”), eager to give all he had.

Masae Chayama from Saitama Prefecture and Deborah Ericson from Bountiful, Utah were missionary companions in Hawaii many years ago.  Although her husband had served as a missionary in Osaka, Deborah had never been to Japan.  She came for a reunion with Masae, and the two of them visited the Tokyo Giving Machines together.

Kap Te’o-Tafiti, a Senior Cultural Ambassador at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii, was in Tokyo with his wife Tiare for a showing of the documentary film titled "Sharing Aloha.”  Kap has fun wherever he is and whatever he’s doing, and his visit to the Giving Machines was no exception.  Don’t tell anyone, but Santa Claus was a fellow student with Kap 37 years ago at BYU-Hawaii.

Kap was also in Tokyo with Mia Maneha, Marketing Manager for Japan at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  Mia grew up in Kyushu, where her parents were introduced to the Church by Tomomichi Ishida and his wife.  Tomomichi was serving as a volunteer at the Giving Machines, and when he and Mia saw each other, they embraced.  Hearing the excitement, Masami Shichijo approached.  Her family is from Kumamoto and Mia is good friends with her daughter.  More spontaneous embraces!

The Aikawas, from Nakano, are currently serving as senior missionaries in the Japan Tokyo South Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They had heard a lot about the Giving Machines in other countries and wanted to experience them themselves.

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The Sakaguchi family lives in Urawa, Saitama.  The parents wanted their young children to “feel the Christmas spirit” and have the experience of donating to help people in need.

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The Frost family came to Japan to visit Himari Tamura, who was a high school exchange student 4 years ago and lived with them in Snowflake, Arizona for 10 months.

Jordan Murray and John Armbruster, two friends from Texas, were visiting Japan together when they noticed the bright red Giving Machines while walking through the busy corridors that connect subway stations in Otemachi.  Since one of their wives is a volunteer at the Giving Machines in Texas, they were instantly drawn in.

Jason Flake, the creator of the YouTube channel “Jason Ray” which explores Japanese culture and daily life, is a friend of Jun’ichi Kawaminami, a Tokyo Giving Machines volunteer.  At the end of their recent stay in Japan, before returning to California, Jason and his wife were excited to experience and document the first Giving Machines in Japan.

Giving Machines are part of the global Light the World initiative, inviting people everywhere to make Christmas more meaningful through simple acts of service.  Tokyo’s Giving Machines are open daily through Christmas day, December 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ootemori “Mori no Plaza,” B2F of Otemachi Tower.  Visitors can choose from a variety of items—such as meals, clothing, and educational supplies—to bless individuals and families in need.  Come experience the joy of giving and help light the world, one donation at a time.