If you visit Tokyo Bay, you are not far from the man-made island of Odaiba. Experience Tokyo Bay’s must-see amazing views and picturesque tourist destinations. Odaiba is a hotspot for tourists and young people, offering a wide variety of choices for family-oriented entertainment, sightseeing, and shopping malls.
Tokyo Bay and Odaiba
You must have been fascinated by the gigantic skyscrapers, bright lights, and the bustling city life of Central Tokyo. However, your Tokyo experience is not complete without going back to the roots of this once seaside town. And the best place to look back at the city’s maritime history is no other than the famous Tokyo Bay.
Stretching across Tokyo, and Chiba and Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo Bay is a harbor located on the eastern coast of the Kantō region. The Uraga Channel connects Tokyo Bay to the Pacific Ocean and the entire bay region is home to the major cities of Tokyo, Kawasaki, and Yokohama, making it arguably the most populous and commercialized area in Japan.
One of the main tourist destinations in Tokyo Bay is a group of man-made islands in the nearby Odaiba area. These artificial islands were originally built as protection from possible marine attacks. Today, the Odaiba district is transformed into a family-friendly center for entertainment, shopping, and countless more seaside activities.
The amazing Odaiba district is also one of the venue locations of the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, now to be held in summer 2021. Because of this huge international event, there are many ongoing development projects in the district that aim to give guests a more satisfying and memorable experience. For now, let’s get into some of the major tourist attractions you can enjoy in Odaiba with your family and friends.
Writer's Pick
Must-try Experiences in Odaiba
The Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge goes over Tokyo Bay and connects Odaiba to the rest of Tokyo. And it is considered as the most famous, beautiful, and iconic bridge in Tokyo. The bridge offers fantastic views, especially during sunset and at night, when the bridge is illuminated with colorful lights in red, white, and green. You can access the Rainbow Bridge on foot and walk across it for about 30 minutes and gape at the wonderful cityscape of Tokyo, Tokyo Tower, and if the weather is clear, Mt. Fuji.
Yakatabune Boat Cruises
A great way to wrap up your long day of Odaiba exploration is a ride on a Japanese pleasure boat. Have an excellent voyage along Tokyo Bay with the traditional Yakatabune Boat Cruises where you can feast on mouth-watering traditional Japanese dishes. A vegetarian menu is also available upon advance request while enjoying the breathtaking view of the city, especially the city lights at night. Each cruise or boat tour usually lasts 2-3 hours, so there is ample time to have fun with your friends like a karaoke session while having a meal above the water and enjoy the comfortable ocean breeze.
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
One of the major shopping centers in Odaiba is the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza that features a “life-size” Gundam statue. The complex grants its visitors a wide array of entertainment, dining, and shopping options. There are countless shops and stores that sell famous local and international products. It also has a huge entertainment facility where guests, especially kids, can enjoy some arcade games and other fun activities. You will never get hungry at DiverCity because there are so many restaurants and food stalls where you can grab both Japanese and international dishes.
More Fun Experiences Within Odaiba
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Relax and take a refreshing bath at Ōedo Onsen Monogatari. This Edo Period-inspired hot spring theme park has many indoor and outdoor baths and massage centers where you can rejuvenate yourself while experiencing a traditional Japanese life.
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Enjoy a 15-minute ride on one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world - the colorful Daikanransha. With its glass cabins, you can have the best view of Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge, including its breathtaking cityscape and gigantic skyscrapers like the Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Skytree.
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Learn more about the maritime industry by visiting the Museum of Maritime Science. The realistic cruise ship-inspired design of the museum and the amazing exhibits featuring the history and technology of ships and shipping are definitely worth a visit.
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Speaking of exhibits, museums, and bold architectures, you can also check out the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, also known as Miraikan, teamLab’s digital exhibition called Borderless and the Tokyo Big Sight, a huge event space that hosts Comic Market every year.
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If you want to take a break from the cityscape of Tokyo, you can visit some of the parks in Odaiba and enjoy a quiet time with nature or have fun with the entertainment facilities and activities there. Two of the largest and most visited parks in Odaiba are the Shiokaze Park and Kasai Rinkai-Koen Seaside Park.
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Aside from DiverCity, there are many other shopping centers that you can visit in Odaiba, including Decks, Venus Fort and AquaCity Odaiba, all large entertainment shopping malls with a multitude of shops, stores, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes for all your needs. In AquaCity, you can even find a movie theater.
These are just some of the many fun and memorable experiences you can enjoy in the ultramodern district of Odaiba. If you want to know more about what other facilities and experiences await you in the district, spend a day or two to check out other activities within the area.
Getting There
By Train
Odaiba is accessible through the Yurikamome Monorail Line and the Rinkai Line. If you are coming from Tokyo Station or nearby, the Yurikamome line will take you from Shimbashi Station to Odaiba, crossing over Rainbow Bridge in the process. If you are coming from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, or Shibuya Stations, you can take the Rinkai Line and it will take you to Tokyo Teleport Station.
By Bus
Another alternative if you want to save money from riding trains, take a bus going to Odaiba. From Shinagawa and Tamachi Stations, you can ride an Odaiba Rainbow Bus or a KM Flower Bus. If you are from Monzen Nakacho, Oimachi, and Omori Stations, you can take a Toei Bus.
And while much less popular, there are the options of taking a boat or walking which may take a much longer time but will offer a unique view of Odaiba not experienced by many.
A Day in Tokyo Bay
There are so many great places and experiences in the capital city of Japan, Tokyo. One of these is the futuristic artificial island of Odaiba district. It is an amazing place to unwind and spend quality time with your family and friends. So, on your next Japan adventures, make sure to include a day or two in the Odaiba district of Tokyo Bay.
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