Santa Clauses riding on Japan train

A team of Santa Clauses surprised passengers aboard a train in eastern Japan in an event to usher in the holiday season, a media report said on Monday.

Eight Santas appeared on a Kominato Line commuter train in Chiba prefecture, near Tokyo, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The special train was decorated with thousands of tiny Christmas lights.

The Santas wished each passenger "Merry Christmas" and handed out sweets.

The seasonal train is operated by Kominato Railway every year.