Pokémon World Championships 2023: Beware of Massive Pikachu Sightings in Yokohama!

Great news for Pokémon fans: to commemorate the Yokohama venue, the Pokémon World Championships will be held! During the event, not only will there be card battle competitions, but also many interactive games, a summer festival, and the much-anticipated Pikachu outbreak, along with stage performances where you can dance with Pikachu. Come charge up in Yokohama! Pika pika.

Image source: Official Twitter

Following the Pikachu-themed limited-time café in June, this year's Pikachu-related activities recently announced the Pokémon Championships event. If you can't make it to the Pikachu café, consider this upcoming Pokémon World Championships event. The event also includes a Pikachu outbreak parade, where you can see countless Pikachu dancing on the streets—an adorable sight. In previous years, the massive Pikachu outbreak event in Yokohama has always attracted large crowds of fans. Whether it's the drinks and sweets sold on-site or the photo backdrops, many have gone wild for it.

This year's Pokémon World Championships has many people looking forward to it. Not only can you compete with Pokémon Trading Card Game players from around the world, but you can also join a summer festival. A variety of activities will be held from Tuesday, August 8, 2023, to Monday, August 14, 2023, spanning seven days.

About the "Pokémon World Championships"

Bringing together Pokémon Trading Card Game players from around the world, this year's competition will be held from August 11 to 13 at the PACIFICO Yokohama Convention Center. Events include battles in Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (VGC), the Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCG), Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE. Players from various countries are already gearing up for the competition, with top players gathering in one place.

This year's Pokémon World Championships trailer features a cute detail: it opens with the nostalgic first-generation Pokémon town "Vermilion City," and the organizers have paid meticulous attention to detail. In the game, Vermilion City is modeled after Yokohama, and in the game, it's a bustling port. In reality, Yokohama, as a port city, also gives a lively impression. The Pokémon World Championships have traditionally been held in the Americas and Europe, but this year, due to the pandemic, the venue was chosen to be in Japan.

"Pokémon Summer Festival"

Image source: Official Twitter

The event period coincides with Japan's Obon festival, during which various festivals and fireworks displays are held across the country. This time, Pokémon is combined with a summer festival, featuring stages and food stalls, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of a Japanese summer festival. After eating and drinking, you can gather around the stage to dance the Bon Odori with everyone, spending an unforgettable and happy summer with Pokémon. The festival will be held from Friday, August 11, 2023, to Monday, August 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with timed entry. You can apply for a lottery ticket (winners get free admission).

Venue: Yokohama Rinkai Park (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Rinko Park)

"Pikachu Outbreak"

This year, Pikachu will also appear en masse in Yokohama as usual. This is probably one of the most well-known large-scale events in Yokohama. When people mention Yokohama, they often think of landmarks like "Chinatown" or the "Pikachu Outbreak." A single Pikachu is already very cute; thousands of Pikachu flooding the streets to dance, with participants also dancing along with them, creates an electrifying atmosphere. The cuteness is unimaginable—whatever pose they strike is incredibly adorable. The charm of Pikachu drives both Japanese and foreigners wild.

Performance schedule: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 to Monday, August 14, 2023

・August 8 (Tue) to August 13 (Sun)

First show: Starts at 15:00, ends at 15:15 (estimated)

Second show: Starts at 16:45, ends at 17:00 (estimated)

・August 14 (Mon)

First show: Starts at 13:00, ends at 13:15 (estimated)

Second show: Starts at 15:00, ends at 15:15 (estimated)

Venue: Grand Mall Park (3 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Grand Mall Park)

Pikachu Parade and Symphony Concert

Image source: Official Twitter

Other performances include a Pikachu parade, a Pikachu drone fireworks show, and a Pikachu singing and dancing show—plenty of activities! There are two types of Pikachu live shows you can attend: "We Move!!" and "Let's Celebrate! The Pokémon Parade!!"

"We Move!!"

Image source: Official Twitter

Pikachu gather at Yokohama Rinkai Park. Once a day from August 8 (Tue) to August 14 (Mon), starting at 20:30 and ending at 20:55.

Venue: Yokohama Rinkai Park (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Rinko Park, Tidal Pond Area)

"Let's Celebrate! The Pokémon Parade!!"

Image source: Official Twitter

The Let's Celebrate! The Pokémon Parade!! performance will be held only on August 14 (Mon), starting at 16:00 and ending at 16:40.

Venue: Yokohama Keyaki Street (Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Keyaki Street)

Pokémon Symphony Performance

The symphony performance is a collaboration between the NHK Symphony Orchestra and Pokémon, to be held on Thursday, August 10. The performance will feature famous songs from past WCS events as well as game music from Pokémon Red/Green to the latest Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, allowing the audience to reminisce about their Pokémon journey.

Performance time: 15:00–16:30

Venue: Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Pacifico Yokohama National Hall)

"Pokémon Trainer Cruise"

Image source: Official Twitter

The cruise ship "Nippon Maru" will serve as the "Pokémon Trainer Cruise," hosting a Pokémon trainer exchange event. It will be held on 8/11, 8/12 (9:00–20:00), and 8/13 (9:00–12:00). You can interact and battle with Pokémon fans from around the world on the ship.

Venue: Passenger ship "Nippon Maru" (Nippon Maru) inside, at Shinminato Wharf No. 9, 2-14-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Many adorable Pokémon traces await you at the venue—find them and take photos together.

Lottery applications for each event are now open. The application period is from Monday, June 19, 2023, at 14:00 Japan time to Monday, July 3, 2023, at 13:59 Japan time.