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】
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Testing Japan’s fluffy mayonnaise pancake cooking hack【SoraKitchen】
Asakusa’s Yoi no Yoi bar crawl is one of Tokyo’s best local nights out
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Sanrio changes Hello Kitty lead designer for first time in 46 years
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Five amazing snow-view open-air Japanese hot springs in Hokkaido [Photos]
Is a snow day the perfect day to beat the crowds at a popular ramen restaurant? [Experiment]
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
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】
Leave a Reply