Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, originally constructed in 1853 by the Tokugawa shogunate as a series of 6 fortresses in order to protect Tokyo from attack by sea.
In 1996, construction started in turning the mostly wasteland into a pleasure and business area resulting in futuristic buildings, shops and entertainment centres.
Highlights include Fuji TV studios with a distinctive building designed by Kenzo Tange; Tokyo Beach; A replica of Statue of Liberty; Joypolis - a virtual reality arcade; Aqua City shopping center. Also, Palette Town, a shopping and amusement complex including one of the world's largest ferris wheels and Venus Fort - a shopping mall with over 150 shops and cafes in the style of a 18th century South European town street lit by an artificial sky. Palette Town also includes Megaweb, which has a massive automobile showroom, including simulated and real rides available on the latest models.
Standing in front of Tokyo Big Sight ( International Exhibition Center) , a massive building used for trade fairs and exhibitions, is a giant saw stuck into the ground, which epitomizes the eccentricity of the whole area.
Odaiba Island is also home to The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation and Maritime Science Museum.
A terrific 'monorail' type train (Yurikamome Line) links Odaiba to the mainland. Running on elevated tracks you have great views and is particulary fun crossing Rainbow Bridge. This train has no driver - it is operated by computers
Odaiba Island is a must see!!
How to Get There
Train (Yurikamome Line) leaves JR Shimbashi Station about every five minutes, stopping at Shiodome, Takeshiba, Hinode, and Shibaura-Futo, before crossing the Rainbow Bridge to various stations in Odaiba. (Best to get off at first station at Odaiba (Odaiba Kaihin-Koen).
External Links
Venus Fort
Mega Web
Aqua City
Fuji TV
Tokyo Big Sight
Joypolis
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