PT 7

Half-way through April, all of the cherry blossoms are gone from the Tokyo area, and while it’s good to know that they’ll be back in 12 months’ time, it’s always kind of a bummer to see them go.

Thankfully, though, there’s plenty to look forward to as the weather starts to heat up. For example, traditional festivals and amazing fireworks displays take place all across Japan during July and August. Plus, it looks like there’s a new annual summer event now, as the city of Yokohama is going to once again be overrun by Pikachus this year, and this time it sounds like all 1,000-plus of the unbearably cute Pocket Monsters have come down with dance fever!

Pikachu Tairyo Hassei Chu (“An Outbreak of Pikachus”) is once again going to be held in the Minato Mirai district of Yokohama, roughly 30 minutes south of Tokyo. We spent a day at the 2014 iteration on a Pokémon photo safari, and as these photos and video we took there prove, if you’re at all a fan of Nintendo’s monster-rearing mega hit, it’s an event you won’t want to miss.

PT 3

Details are still scarce, but the official Pokémon website says there will be more than 1,000 Pikachus swarming the Yokohama harbor area, and is also promising more participatory events and surprises than even the crowd-pleasing 2014 event had. Parades will once again be on the schedule, but considering that the 2015 event’s official name is now Odoru? Pikachu Tairyo Hassei Chu, or Dancing? An Outbreak of Pikachus, it sounds like coordinated dance routines will be playing a large role in the festivities.

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The best places to spot the roaming Pikachus are likely to be around Minato Mirai and Sakuragicho Stations, as well as the Aka Renga entertainment complex. Odoru? Pikachu Tairyo Hassei Chu is scheduled for August 8 to 16, during which time we’ll get to find out if the adorable critters’ dance moves are as super effective as their smiles at making us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

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Sources: Kai-You, Pokémon official website
Top image: Pokémon official website
Insert images: RocketNews24