Odaiba is a large manmade island in Tokyo Bay; originally constructed during the Edo period as a fortress, the once derelict site has been under redevelopment since the mid 1980s.
Today the area is Tokyo’s playground where locals go to walk a hired dog for an hour or get married at Daiba love village. Tourists, on the other hand, can spend days at the many attractions and restaurants that make up the area.
Odaiba is home to a few shopping centres, like Decks with its Little Hong Kong theme floor, and the 17th century European inspired Venus Fort.
About Odaiba
Odaiba, or sometimes known as just Daiba, is a large artificial island in the middle of Tokyo Bay reached by the Rainbow Bridge. Constructed in the 1850’s by the Tokuguwa Shogunate, Odaiba was originally a fortress to protect Tokyo from sea attack. Today, Odaiba is a futuristic precinct with some pretty dramatic architecture. Odaiba is home to a range of retail and leisure based activities.
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Odaiba Map
Below is a map of Odaiba with its attractions numbered, one of the best ways to get to Odaiba is via the Yurikamome line train. You will see the line coming off the rainbow bridge in front of the Fuji TV building before looping around near the Maritime Museum, Mirakan and Palette Town before heading off near Tokyo Big Sight. Heading back to town via a ferry makes a great scenic day out.
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Fuji TV Building
The headquarters of Fuji TV is one of the most striking buildings in all of Japan. This futuristic metallic building features a huge silver ball which is 32 metres in diameter and weighs an estimated one thousand and two hundred tons. The ball was actually built and lifted into position 123 metres off the ground. The ball serves as an observation deck with views across Tokyo Bay and the Odaiba area.
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Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum or Fune-no-Kagakukan as it is known, is everything nautical, the building is even shaped like a giant ship. There are several levels of interactive displays, a large outdoor area, an observatory and a seaside pool that is open during the summer making it hugely popular on a hot day.
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Miraikan – Emerging Science Museum
The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, or Miraikan as it is better known, is a fascinating, high-tech showcase of Japan’s lead in science and technology. There is a wealth of interesting exhibitions including cutting edge medicine, robotics and transportation. Miraikan features many hands on displays that will keep visitors fascinated for hours.
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Palette Town
Palette town (sometimes mistranslated to pallet town) is a massive complex that is more than just a shopping centre. Its towering Ferris wheel, known as Daikanransha, can be seen all across Odaiba, signalling to visitors that Palette town is a fun place to be.
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The Rainbow Bridge
The 918 metre long suspended Rainbow Bridge links the futuristic leisure town of Odaiba with the Tokyo Waterfront, crossing Tokyo Bay underneath. Named after the beautiful rainbow coloured lighting that graces the structure in the evenings, the bridge is one of the city’s most popular and attractive landmarks.
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Tokyo Big Sight
The Tokyo International Exhibition Center, commonly referred to as “Tokyo Big Sight”, is Japan’s largest exhibition and convention centre. Built by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo International Exhibition Center opened in April 1996. The venue is the largest convention and exhibition space in Japan, and one of the largest in the world.
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Toyota Mega Web
Located in the Pallet Town Shopping centre in the middle of Tokyo’s waterfront entertainment suburb of Odaiba, is Toyota’s self proclaimed car theme park, Mega Web. Toyota Mega Web comprises of six exhibits such as the History Garage, Universal Design Showcase, Toyota City Showcase, Ride One and the Kids Hybrid Ride One.
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Odaiba Shopping
Odaiba is a great place to shop as there is something for everyone. The kids can spend some time in the amusement arcades. The guys can check out the cars at the Toyota Mega Web, while the girls can check out some of the high fashion boutiques. Afterwards you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many cafes and bars in the area.
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