It takes a big Poké Ball to catch a giant Pokémon.
The Pikachu Outbreak, which is happening right now in the city of Yokohama, is a big event, and in multiple meanings of the word. It’s big in terms of Pokémon population, with hundreds of Pikachus frolicking around the Minato Mirai district, and it’s big in absolute size, too, as these videos show.
One of Yokohama’s major landmarks is the 108-meter (354-foot) Cosmo Clock Ferris wheel. At the time of its completion, the Cosmo Clock was the biggest Ferris wheel in the world, and while it may not hold that distinction anymore, it can claim to be the world’s biggest Poké Ball, thanks to a special look it’s been seen sporting during the Pikachu Outbreak.
https://twitter.com/parapara40/status/895227594563477504With 60 gondolas, the Cosmo Clock has a large number of spokes, which allows for some cool light shows. The most basic is lighting the spoke edges one at a time each second, but it can do fancier things too, and on the first night of the Pikachu Outbreak the wheel was illuminated in the instantly recognizable colors and pattern of a Poké Ball.
Of course, no proper Pikachu Outbreak celebration is complete without Pikachu himself, so at other times this week the Cosmo Clock will look like this.
横浜観覧車
— Chris༄ (@Chris_Lap100) August 9, 2017
ピカチュバージョン pic.twitter.com/Pn7oKI6enI
Pikachu’s official height is listed as 40 centimeters (15.7 inches), making the Cosmo Clock version well over 100 times his in-anime size. But while such gargantuanism would be terrifying in the case of other creatures, with Pikachu it just means there’s more of him to love.
コスモクロックに今年もピカチュウがやってきました!#ピカチュウ大発生チュウ #みなとみらい #コスモクロック pic.twitter.com/Zg7O1xDg2d
— 横浜ウォーカー (@_YokohamaWalker) August 9, 2017
The Pikachu Outbreak continues until August 15. Oh, and if you happen to be visiting during the daytime, when the Cosmo Clock’s lights are off, look up anyway, so that you don’t miss the Pikachu blimp.
Related: Pikachu Outbreak official website, Twitter/@parapara40
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he wishes the Pikachus would stay in Yokohama year-round.

Awesome optical illusion turns Japanese Ferris wheel into a cube 【Video】
Japan’s 10 best Ferris wheels for beautiful views, as chosen by travelers【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Japan’s real-world Pikachu Outbreak 2019 dates announced, so make your travel plans now!
SO…MANY…PIKACHUS!!! 2019’s Pikachu Outbreak takes over Yokohama with cuteness【Photos, video】
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Eastern Japan high school graduating class’s wallets robbed during ceremony
Naked Run takes a confused grasp of streaking, puts it in a video game【Review】
Here comes Japan’s newest fruit dessert sandwich: 7-Eleven’s purple Blueberry Sandwich!
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Pics of Pikachu packs from a day of Pokémon hunting in Yokohama【Video】
Pikachu blimp, Meowth hot air balloon lift off in Japan for Pikachu Outbreak 2017【Videos】
Pikachu Outbreak 2018: World’s first Eevee march to join Pokémon summer celebrations in Japan!
Pikachu, I choose you… to take over vending machines in Japan!【Video】
First video ad for 2015 Pikachu outbreak event reminds us how adorable last year’s was
Sounds like this year’s Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama is going to have other Pokémon species too!
The full Pikachu Outbreak 2019 Pikachu/Eevee show and parade schedule is here!
You can now get Poké Ball-shape diamonds for your rings in Japan【Photos】
Pikachu Outbreak 2018 announced for Yokohama, and this time the party continues into the night!
Japanese town’s Pikachu, Eevee mailboxes are awesome, and there’s another Pokémon to see too【Pics】
Official Pokémon furniture line launches with Pikachu Sofa and Poké Ball table【Photos】
Japan’s Pikachu Outbreak 2016! Pokémon get wet and wild in Yokohama【Photos & Four Videos】
Wear Pikachu or a Poké Ball on your arm and be fashionably on time with Pokémon × BEAMS watches!