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】
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Starbucks Japan unveils new S’mores Frappuccino and latte for Christmas 2025
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Denny’s in Japan?
Tokyo’s amazing 2D Cafe looks like an illustration, but it’s an actual restaurant you can eat in!
Extreme Budget Travel! Can you do a trip to Manila with 50,000 yen (US$333)? – Part 2
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
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】
First-ever Eevee outbreak is going on in Japan right now, and it’s awesomely adorable【Photos】