What to do in Odaiba
What to do in Odaiba? An Introduction to the Artificial Island of Odaiba
Odaiba is an Artificial Island
The first tourist destination I visited in Tokyo was the artificial island of Odaiba. Before my visit, I had researched what to do in Odaiba and learned that Odaiba is home to many impressive buildings and structures. Originally, the artificial island was built in the 1850s for defense purposes. Today, Odaiba is one of the key commercial, residential, and leisure areas in Tokyo and is full of shopping malls, theme parks, and museums.
How to Get to Odaiba
Getting to Odaiba from my hotel near Tokyo Station was simple. First, I took the Yamanote Line to Shimbashi Station. This journey was covered by the JR Rail Pass. After arriving at Shimbashi Station, I transferred to the Yurikamome Line.
The Yurikamome Line goes right into the heart of Odaiba and after crossing the Rainbow Bridge I arrived in Odaiba. There are multiple stops in Odaiba, but I chose Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon, which is one of the last Odaiba area stops.
What to do in Odaiba? My Experience in the Odaiba Area of Tokyo - Table of Contents
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Tokyo Big Sight: A Convention Center Giant
So now that I had arrived, I had to start checking off my list of things to do in Odaiba. The first thing on that list was to visit the Tokyo Big Sight. The Tokyo Big Sight is a building that defies gravity and serves as a convention center and exhibition hall. I did not go inside, as the line to enter the Big Sight was extremely long.
I photographed the Tokyo Big Sight from the end of the line and then decided to head back to the Yurikamome Line. Unfortunately, the line to enter the station was very long, so I walked to my next sight, which was the Telecom Center.
The Hole in Odaiba's Heart: The Telecom Center
The Telecom Center is another one of Odaiba’s unique buildings. This building, which serves as a telecommunications hub, has a giant hole in the center. The hole in the Telecom Center is supposed to represent openness and communication, two important concepts for a telecommunications hub.
One of the highlights of visiting the Telecom Center is a trip to the 21st-floor observation deck. I chose not to go to the observation deck as I would be ascending the Tokyo Sky Tree later that evening.
Beyond Shopping: Discovering the Enchantment of Venus Fort
At this point, I was getting hungry and a little bit warm. The temperature was around 90 degrees, with a dew point of almost 80. These conditions made the heat index in the 110 degrees Fahrenheit range. I decided to put the rest of my Odaiba itinerary on hold and went inside the Venus Fort Shopping Center to cool off and have lunch.
Venus Fort features a fake sky that goes through the different parts of the day from sunrise to sunset. It is very similar to the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace or the Canal Shops of the Venetian in Las Vegas.
Lunch at the Venus Fort Food Court and an Unexpected Conversation with a Local
There were many fancy restaurants at Venus Fort, and they all had long waits. It seemed that everyone was interested in getting out of the heat. I took the escalator up to the top floor, where there was a food court. At the Venus Fort’s food court, the lines were much shorter, and I was able to order food within a few minutes.
I chose to get a beef and noodle dish that came with rice, soup, and a small salad. The meal was excellent except for the soup, which I did not care for.
While I was eating, a woman and her son came up and asked if they could sit with me. There were no available tables, so I said they could. She explained that it was her son’s first day of “Summer Holiday” (summer vacation), and he wanted to go to the Miraikan, also known as the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, where robots lead the tours. The Miraikan was close to the mall, and they had stopped there to eat. I told her about what I had seen in Odaiba and that I planned to visit the Tokyo Sky Tree in the evening. I was pleased when she complimented my excellent use of chopsticks.
Continuing to Explore Odaiba - The Fuji TV Studios
After leaving the Venus Fort Mall, I continued my visit to Odaiba by walking towards the Fuji TV Studios. The Fuji TV Studios is one of the most architecturally unique buildings in the world and is located in front of the Odaiba Harbor overlooking the Rainbow Bridge.
I am not sure what the Fuji TV Studios is supposed to resemble. Some people believe it is supposed to look like the inside of an old television set. Other people believe it is supposed to represent cutting-edge technology and modernization. To a small few, they see the sphere as a giant eyeball or spaceship.
Despite leaving the Fuji TV Studios without deciding what it looked like, I was still happy that I was able to see and photograph this unique architectural masterpiece.
The Odaiba Marine Park - Great Views of the Rainbow Bridge
At this point, I had viewed the places that I had identified as the main sights in Odaiba. As I continued walking towards the Yurikamome Line, I came across a waterfront park kniwn as the Odaiba Marine Park overlooking the Rainbow Bridge. There were huge anchors and chains stuck into the ground near the water’s edge.
The Odaiba Marine Park was also a great location for photographing the Rainbow Bridge.
After snapping a few photos of the Rainbow Bridge, I boarded a Yurikamome Train towards Shimbashi Station. A few minutes later I was back at my hotel getting ready to visit the Tokyo Sky Tree. I highly recommend visiting Odaiba as most of the key attractions in the Odaiba Area can be seen in a few hours.
Odaiba Area Tours and Packages
Tours of Odaiba are not really necessary as it is most fun to walk around and look at the modern architecture. If you are not sure what to do in Odaiba, or if you prefer to be led around by a local guide, I have linked one tour of Odaiba below. I am an affiliate of Viator. If you book a tour using my link, I will receive a small commission. The commission is at no additional cost to you.
The price is accurate as of June 2023.
 3-Hour Odaiba Scenic Photo Walking Tour - $100.96 Welcome to the Discover Odaiba Scenic Photo Walking Tour, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant sights and sounds of modern Japan. Get ready to lace up your walking shoes and capture breathtaking photos of the unique spots and hidden gems that Odaiba has to offer. |
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