About Odaiba

Odaiba or sometimes known as just Daiba is a large artificial island in the middle of Tokyo bay which was originally constructed in the 1850’s by the Tokuguwa Shogunate with a six fortresses to protect Tokyo from sea attack.

1928 saw the area redeveloped and Battery no 3 was transformed into the Metropolitan Daiba Park which is still in existence today. Expo 85 came to Odaibi in 1985 and saw the start of the modern development we see today. There was plans to build a 10 billion dollar utopia of modern living with homes for over 100,000 but when the Japanese economy crashed in the early 1990’s the dream be became a non event with the area becoming pretty much a wasteland.

In 1996 the area was rezoned and entertainment and commercial districts started to spring up. Fuji TV moved their headquarters to the precinct with a futuristic metal building and many others followed including hotels, malls, theatres and museums.

Tokyoites soon flocked to the area and more attractions and malls opened. The Tokyo Big Site Exhibition Hall with its four huge upside down pyramids opened in 1996 and Palette Town with one of the worlds largest Ferris Wheels opened in 1999.

The precinct is now well serviced by public transport with the Shuto Express way linking central Tokyo and the automated Yurikamone transit system also linking the city via the Rainbow Bridge. There are also various ferry services and buses linking the surrounding area.