
Special after-dark Pokémon parade means fans will want to stick around all day to see the 1,500-plus Pikachus.
In what’s become an annual celebration, every summer packs of Pikachus proliferate on the streets of Yokohama, just 20 minutes south of Tokyo. If you’re a fan of the Pokémon series, or just cuteness in general, visiting Yokohama during the Pikachu Outbreak makes for an unforgettable day, and this year it’s going to make for an unforgettable night too!
Organizers have given us the first official sneak peek at Pikachu Outbreak 2018, which carries the subtitle “Science is Amazing.” In previous years, the Pikachus have all headed off to sleep at sundown, but this time they’ll be staying out past dark, wearing special light-up costumes for their nighttime parade.
▼ The nighttime parade will differ from the one held during the day, so you’ll want to check out both.
A total of over 1,500 Pikachus (in both frolicking and decorative forms) will be greeting visitors to Yokohama’s Minato Mirai harbor district. Also new for this year are a Digital Splash show featuring various species of Pokémon, and a “Pikachu Parade on the Sea” incorporating digital technology.
While certain seasonal events, such as the blooming of the cherry blossoms, can be hard to pinpoint a exact start for, Pikachus have proven to be perfectly punctual. This year’s Pikachu Outbreak kicks off on August 10, and runs until August 16.
Source: PR Times via Anime News Network/Lynzee Loveridge
Top image: PR Times
Follow Casey on Twitter for more reasons Yokohama is awesome.



Pikachu Outbreak 2018 photos! Pikachus parade through Yokohama, bust out dance moves at night
Pikachu Outbreak 2018: World’s first Eevee march to join Pokémon summer celebrations in Japan!
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!
SO…MANY…PIKACHUS!!! 2019’s Pikachu Outbreak takes over Yokohama with cuteness【Photos, video】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Giant wearable baby head, huge randoseru backpack part of empathy-boosting art exhibit in Japan
How do you beat Bic Camera’s Lucky Box lines, and what’s inside their Sim-Free Phone box?
All of Evangelion exhibit showing largest-ever collection of Eva art and design documents in Tokyo
KFC Japan earned 6 billion yen over Christmas weekend, proving that Japan loves Christmas chicken
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
“Where are the normal men?” A Japanese woman tells of five online dating woes
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Japan’s real-world Pikachu Outbreak 2019 dates announced, so make your travel plans now!
First-ever Pokémon TCG World Championship in Japan/Asia comes with jam-packed events in Yokohama
Pikachu outbreak to happen again in Yokohama this summer, this time with dance fever!
Pikachu blimp, Meowth hot air balloon lift off in Japan for Pikachu Outbreak 2017【Videos】
Yokohama’s Pikachu Outbreak to return with all-new “Dripping Wet Splash Show”!
Japan’s Pikachu Outbreak 2016! Pokémon get wet and wild in Yokohama【Photos & Four Videos】
First video ad for 2015 Pikachu outbreak event reminds us how adorable last year’s was
Pikachu Outbreak event causes growing pains for Yokohama
Pics of Pikachu packs from a day of Pokémon hunting in Yokohama【Video】
First-ever Eevee outbreak is going on in Japan right now, and it’s awesomely adorable【Photos】
Pikachu, I choose you… to take over vending machines in Japan!【Video】
Pikachu Outbreak home robot walks, talks, and sings when you call to it【Video】
Leave a Reply