Shin-Kiba
Rock concerts, the Dinosaur Bridge, exotic plants, and a piece of history that inspired Godzilla are all within reach in this area near Tokyo Disneyland.
Shin-Kiba might lack the name recognition of Shinjuku or Shibuya, but it’s a good spot to know for those looking to break away from Tokyo’s usual tourist meccas. There are several noteworthy places within walking distance of Shin-Kiba station, which is located two train stops away from Tokyo Disney Resort on the Keiyo Line. If you want to stroll across the open-air walkway of the Dinosaur Bridge, however, you’ll need to know which bus to take.
Tokyo Gate Bridge
At a length of more than 8,500 feet, Tokyo Gate Bridge has been nicknamed the Dinosaur Bridge because of its size but also because of its appearance. The two enormous truss sections of this double cantilever bridge do indeed give the appearance of dinosaurs locking horns.
Photo by: Joshua Meyer Tokyo Gate Bridge.
The bridge is located near the Wakasu Park Camping Ground. Its walkway can be accessed by elevator. That walkway holds a nice view of the Tokyo skyline and can be very beautiful at sunset.
In front of Shin-Kiba station, the bus stop for “Wakasu-kyampujo-mae” on route #11 will take you to where the bridge is.
Studio Coast
About a 10-minute walk from the station is Studio Coast, where Tokyo’s popular AgeHa nightclub is located. This multipurpose entertainment space also functions as a midsize rock concert venue, where bands like Nine Inch Nails have performed.
Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse Dome
Walking the opposite direction from the station along Meiji Dori will bring you to the Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse Dome. This botanical garden is actually made up of three glass domes, which hold a thousand exotic specimens of tropical and subtropical plants.
Photo by: Joshua Meyer Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse Dome.
It is like entering a rainforest. Ferns abound, plant stalks snake up to the skylit ceiling, and there is even a small waterfall cascading down into a pond with lily pads. One whole dome is devoted to plants from the Ogasawara Islands.
Daigo Fukuryu Maru Exhibition Hall
Close to the Dome, on the other side of Yumenoshima Park, is the Daigo Fukuryu Maru Exhibition Hall. This free history museum houses the actual Lucky Dragon No. 5, a Japanese fishing boat made famous in 1954.
Photo by: Joshua Meyer Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse.
The boat was irradiated that year in the Castle Bravo nuclear test conducted by the United States. With its opening scene, the original 1954 Godzilla movie drew directly from this incident.
This piece of history, together with other spots of interest like the bridge and greenhouse dome, makes Shin-Kiba well worth a visit.
Topics: bridges, shin-kiba, tokyo, tokyo neighborhoods
