
Eevees appears en masse at the annual Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama to grab their share of the Pokémon spotlight.
Since 2014, packs of Pikachus have been appearing each summer in the Minato Mirai district of the city of Yokohama, about 20 minutes south of Tokyo. But the 2018 Pikachu Outbreak, going on right now, is a two-species affair, as this year’s iteration also celebrates beloved Pocket Monster Eevee.
Event staff are handing out Eevee-shaped visors and fans, and inside the Mark Is shopping center is a Christmas-tree like display of Eevee and her many different evolution forms.
But the real treat for Eevee fans is happening in Shinko Chu Hiroba, a park that sits right between the World Porters and Aka Renga entertainment centers. While it’s a pleasant enough green space under ordinary circumstances, during the Pikachu Outbreak the park is serving as the site of the world’s first Eevee show, plus meet-and-greet sessions where you can shake hands with or hug the adorable creatures!
While the Eevees roam free during the meet-and-greets, for the show a section of the park is cordoned off. Taking a seat on the grass, the crowd waited with bated breath until two staff members (who have possibly the best jobs in Japan) emerged from behind a small partition…
…followed by a pack of Eevees!
As more and more Eevees poured onto the field, the crowd was, understandably, too excited to count them all. The staff saved us the trouble, informing us that 20 Eevees were on hand to frolic for our amusement and bask in the cheers and squeals of “Kawaii!” from the audience.
At first, the Eevees simply ran around in circles, and really, they could have done that all day without anyone getting tired of watching them. Before long, though, they began lining up to dance, following the precedent set by the music-themed Pikachu Outbreak of 2015.
A highlight was when they formed an outward-facing circle and began dancing to Korobeiniki (also known as “Tetris music A-Type”) as the rhythm got progressively faster.
Eventually, though, the staff informed us that is was time for the Eevees to head back home for their afternoon snacks, so once again they lined up, then bowed in turn to fans in each direction to say thank-you for coming.
Then they took one final farewell lap around the performance area…
…and it was time to say good-bye.
As sad as we were to see them go, we were left with feelings as warm and fuzzy as Eevee’s fluffy coat, which lasted for the rest of the day.
The 2018 Pikachu Outbreak continues until August 16. However, due to the extreme heat that Japan has been experiencing this year, as well as periodic thunderstorms, there isn’t a set time for the Eevee show/meet-and-greet. On the day we took these photos, the meet-and-greet took place around 3 p.m., and the show at roughly 4:30., but the best thing to do is to ask the event staff (who are always in the park, as well as outside the ticket gates of Minato Mirai Station on the Minato Mirai subway line) “What time can we see Eevee?” which in Japanese is “Iibui ha nanji ni aeumasu ka?”/イーブイは何時に会えますか? In order to check the day’s schedule (which itself may be tentative).
Oh, and if you’re wondering if there are any Pikachus at this year’s Pikachu Outbreak, rest assured that there are, and we’ll be back with photographic evidence soon.
Related: Pikachu Outbreak 2018 official website
Photos ©SoraNews24
Follow Casey on Twitter for more reasons Yokohama is awesome.































The full Pikachu Outbreak 2019 Pikachu/Eevee show and parade schedule is here!
Pikachu Outbreak 2018: World’s first Eevee march to join Pokémon summer celebrations in Japan!
Pikachu Outbreak 2018 photos! Pikachus parade through Yokohama, bust out dance moves at night
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】
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Foreign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Sounds like this year’s Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama is going to have other Pokémon species too!
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】
First video ad for 2015 Pikachu outbreak event reminds us how adorable last year’s was
Talking Pikachu ticket gates now welcoming travelers in Japan at this train station【Video】
Pikachu outbreak to happen again in Yokohama this summer, this time with dance fever!
Japan’s Pikachu Outbreak 2016! Pokémon get wet and wild in Yokohama【Photos & Four Videos】
They’re back! Pikachus overrun Yokohama for second straight year and dance up a storm! 【Videos】
First-ever Pokémon TCG World Championship in Japan/Asia comes with jam-packed events in Yokohama
Pikachus overrunning Yokohama in the cutest rodent invasion ever 【Video】
Pics of Pikachu packs from a day of Pokémon hunting in Yokohama【Video】
Yokohama’s Pikachu Outbreak to return with all-new “Dripping Wet Splash Show”!
Awesomely adorable Pokémon subway trains start service in downtown Tokyo【Photos】