Tokyo/Odaiba
From World travel guide
Odaiba (お台場) is a large artificial island in Tokyo, Japan, featuring many hypermodern and just plain strange buildings memorably described as the result of an acid-soaked pre-schooler's architecture class. Administratively a part of the Minato district, the area is now a very popular shopping and entertainment destination.
Contents |
Understand
Odaiba was originally constructed in 1851 by the Tokugawa shogunate as a series of 6 fortresses in order to protect Tokyo from attack by sea, the primary threat being Commodore Matthew Perry's Black Ships, which had arrived in the same year. Daiba in Japanese refers to the cannon batteries placed on the islands.
In 1928, the 3rd daiba was refurbished and opened to the public as park, which remains open to this day.
The modern redevelopment of Odaiba started after the success of Expo '85 in Tsukuba. The Japanese economy was riding high, and Odaiba was to be a showcase as futuristic living, built at a cost of over $10 billion. Unfortunately, the "bubble economy" burst in 1991, and by 1995 Odaiba was a virtual wasteland, underpopulated and full of vacant lots.
In 1996, the area was rezoned from pure business to allow also commercial and entertainment districts, and the area started coming back to life as Tokyo discovered the seaside it never had. Hotels and shopping malls opened up, several large companies (including Fuji TV) moved their headquarters to the island, and transportation links improved.
Get in
Odaiba is linked to Tokyo proper by many bridges and tunnels, including the scenic Rainbow Bridge.
By train
Most visitors arrive in Odaiba via the automated Yurikamome "new transit system", a cross between a train and a bus, from Shinbashi on the Yamanote line (or Shiodome station on the Toei O-Edo Line subway). An attraction in itself, the driverless elevated trains cross the Rainbow Bridge with a 270-degree loop for some great views of Tokyo bay. One-way from Shinbashi to Daiba station will set you back ¥310, or you can buy a one-day pass for ¥800.
The other option is to take the Tokyo Waterfront Railway (Rinkai Line) from Osaki on the JR Yamanote Line or Shin-Kiba on the Metro Yurakucho line. While slightly faster, the train travels mostly underground and doesn't provide much in the way of views.
By bus
City buses provide cheaper if slower access to Odaiba.
By boat
Suijobus Ferries also operate between Hinode Pier (on the Yurikamome line) and several stops in Odaiba. ¥400 one way.
On foot
You can in theory cross the Rainbow Bridge on foot for free, if inhaling exhaust for 40 minutes sounds like your idea of a fun time. Bicycles are not allowed on the bridge.
See
- Fuji TV Building. (Yurikamome Daiba station). An Odaiba landmark which looks like it's built out of Tinkertoys. The studio tour is of limited interest unless you speak Japanese and/or are familiar with Fuji's programming, but you can visit the second-highest story for free for some nice views. The giant ball suspended in the structure has an expensive French restaurant.
- Toyota MEGA WEB. (Yurikamome Odaiba Kaihin Koen/Rinkai Teleport Town). A Toyota car technology showcase that will fascinate car nuts and bore the rest of us; the ladyfolk may wish to adjourn to the nearby Venus Fort shopping mall instead (see Buy).
- Daikanransha (大観覧車). (Yurikamome Odaiba Kaihin Koen/Rinkai Teleport Town). The world's largest ferris wheel after the London Eye. The slowly-spinning wheel provides great views and is very popular among Japanese couples. Open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM; ¥900 per head, or rent a whole 6-person gondola for ¥3000.
- The Museum of Maritime Science (船の博物館 Fune no kagakukan). (Yurikamome Fune no kagakukan) [1]. A six-story museum shaped like a full-sized ocean liner, unsurprisingly devoted to ships. One of the main displays, a gigantic turbine engine, was actually set in place first and the museum was built around it. There are a few historic vessels on the adjacent wharf; unfortunately the World War II-era 'Emily' flying boat has been moved to Kagoshima.
- Tokyo Big Sight. (Yurikamome Ariake, Rinkai Kokusai-tenjijo-mae), [2]. If you're visiting Tokyo on business, this, Japan's largest exhibition and convention center, might already be your destination. The four inverted pyramids are hard to miss and worth a look.
- Rainbow Bridge. Completed on August 26th 1993, this gateway to Odaiba is among the most beautiful modern bridges in Japan. Decorated with 444 lights, which change according to the seasons.
Do
- Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari (大江戸温泉物語). (Yurikamome Telecom Center), [3]. Tokyo's newest and largest (artificial) hot spring complex, done up in Edo-era (1800s) style and featuring an endless array of bathtubs of all temperatures and flavors- including: uchiyu (insidebath), iwa-buro (an outdoor rockbath), ashiyu (a footbath) and suna-buro (sandbath, separately charged). There are plenty of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops inside, and resting rooms for sleeping too. You'll get a wrist tag on entry, which acts as your wallet while inside, so anything you buy is paid when you leave. Open from 11 AM to 9 AM daily (yes, 22 hours a day); entrance a fairly steep ¥2700, discounted to ¥1900 after 6 PM, but beware the ¥1500 late night surcharge after 2 AM.
- Odaiba Seaside Park (お台場海浜公園 Odaiba Kaihin Koen). (Yurikamome Odaiba-kaihin-koen) Features the only beach in mainland Tokyo, but swimming is not recommended as the water is rather polluted. Instead have a picnic on battery #3, located nearby and now turned into a pleasant little park.
- Joypolis. Decks Tokyo Beach (Yurikamome Daiba). A giant game center / amusement arcade (currently indefinitely closed).
Buy
Odaiba is an unabashed paean to commercialism and features more malls that you can shake a stick at. Prices are somewhat higher than on the mainland.
- Venus Fort. (Yurikamome Daiba/Rinkai Teleport Town). An elaborately Venice-themed shopping mall, complete with marble fountains, artificial sunsets every 30 minutes and an Italian "mayor" reading out speeches from a balcony. All shops are geared for women and generally quite expensive, but it's worth visiting this just for the decoration.
- Decks Tokyo Beach (Yurikamome Daiba) features the Sega Joypolis gaming center and Little Hong Kong for all your dim sum needs.
Eat
There are plenty of eating options in Odaiba's shopping malls and attractions, although prices are generally a little higher than on the mainland.
- Little Hong Kong. Decks Tokyo Back (Yurikamome Daiba). True to the name, this is a floor dedicate to Hong Kong-style Cantonese food, for all your dim sum needs.
Drink
- Zepp Tokyo is one of Tokyo's largest performance hall/nightclubs, showcasing artists from around the country and the world.
Sleep
There is a cluster of luxury hotels near Yurikakome Daiba station.
- Hotel Nikko Tokyo is a new seaside luxury hotel popular for weddings and honeymoons. Rack rates start at a ridiculous ¥38,515, but getting a room for two for ¥20,000 shouldn't be a problem.
Contact
External links
- Map of Odaiba (Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau)
