Region
Kanto
Island
Honshu
Largest City
Tokyo
Population
12,059,237

Odaiba

A Giant Gundam, Rainbow Bridge, Edo-inspired onsen, not to mention the coolest museums: what doesn’t Odaiba have to offer?

Odaiba is a magical wonderland of entertainment, situated on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. Not only does this location afford an unbeatable view of the Rainbow Bridge (especially during the Tokyo Bay fireworks, unfortunately postponed until after the 2020 Olympics), it also showcases some of Japan’s best and most futuristic architecture.

View of Rainbow Bridge and Minato, from Odaiba in Tokyo

Odaiba offers spectacular views back across the water of the Tokyo skyline and Rainbow Bridge.

Use your feet or hop onto a water bus to feel the sea breeze and admire the scenic cityscape from afar. Copious amounts of green spaces and parkland surround this area making it a go-to destination for picnics and young families.

Alternatively, take a ride on the Yurikamome, an automated, elevated train with rubber tires, connecting Shimbashi Station on the Yamanote Line and Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line with all of Odaiba’s attractions. Be sure to grab a seat at the front of the train to really cash in on those stunning views of the Rainbow Bridge.

Tokyo, Japan - 16 February 2015: The 1:1 scale mobile suit Gundam RX78-2 which is 18 metres high from "Mobile Suit Gundam".It is located in front of the "Diver City" to present the Gundam Front, Tokyo

The life-sized Gundam robot comes alive at 17:00 daily – flashing its lights and emitting steam. From 19:30, this performance is accompanied by an original anime projected onto the wall behind the statue (every 30 minutes).

Also, keep an eye out for the Fuji TV Building (with a giant metallic-looking Pokeball for an observation deck), Telecom Centre (resembling the Arc de Triumph if it was twice the size and made out of glass) and Tokyo Big Sight (host of Tokyo’s big exhibitions, including the world-famous Comiket) to name a few.

If strolling around these space-age structures is giving you that geeky feeling, you’re in the right place. The National Science Museum offers an interactive dose of Japan’s renowned technological flair. If you want a sneak peek into the world of emerging tech, head to Toyoto Mega Web flaunts the newest in the world of cars in its beautifully designed showrooms or the Panasonic Centre to get the lowdown from staff about what electronics you should invest in next.

Abstract high speed technology POV motion blurred concept image from the Yuikamome monorail in Tokyo Japan

Get a spot at the front of the Yurikamome to capture a time lapse of the monorail’s journey which cuts through the city’s skyscrapers before crossing Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba.

Odaiba is for everyone, so if science or architecture don’t float your boat, rest assured we have you covered. Fancy a relaxing weekend? Go shopping at Aquacity or Diver City, Odaiba’s impressive shopping complexes, then fasten your yukata before enjoying a dip at the Oedo Onsen. Urge for a musical night out? The Zepp Tokyo music venue boasts both local and international talent year-round.

Brought the kids or just a kid at heart? Your choices abound. Tokyo Legoland is every child (and adult’s) dream with tons of exciting rides and activities, whereas Madame Tussauds is rife with photo ops that you’ll share on your Timehop again and again. Not to mention the Ferris Wheel, for romantic first dates or a bird’s eye view of Tokyo Bay.

How To Get There

Address

Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan

By train

Odaiba is accessible via the Rinkai Line, connecting Osaki Station on the JR Yamanote Line with Shin-Kiba Station on the JR Keiyo Line, stopping at the Tokyo Teleport and Kukusai Tenjijo, Odaiba’s two underground stations. Some trains on the JR Saikyo Line continue to run on the Rinkai Line and provide direct connections between Shinjuku, Shibuya and Odaiba.

The Yurikamome connects Shimbashi Station on the Yamanote Line with all of Odaiba’s attractions and Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line. Trains depart every few minutes, and a ride between Shimbashi and Daiba Station takes 15 minutes and costs ¥320. If you plan on riding the Yurikamome more than twice, a 1-day pass for ¥820 yen is likely to pay off. It is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

By boat

Tokyo Water Bus operates boats between Odaiba Seaside Park and Hinode Pier where there are connections to Asakusa. These boats run once or twice an hour, taking 20 minutes to read the other side. A one-way journey costs ¥480.

Direct boats connect Asakusa and Odaiba less frequently, taking 50 minutes and costing around ¥1600. Furthermore, there are boats from Hinode Pier to Palette Town (another big shopping complex) and Tokyo Big Sight. These take 25-35 minutes, one boat per hour except on Mondays and Tuesdays, costing ¥410 for a one-way journey.


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