Odaiba

Odaiba, also known simply as Daiba, is an island situated in the mouth of Tokyo Bay. During the 1980s when the Japanese economy was at its peak Odaiba was the scene of a massive redevelopment project that turned the man-made island into Tokyo’s premier tourist site. Odaiba is full of attractions most impressively, the futuristic architecture of the Fuji TV building, but the amusement parks and giant shopping malls also exhibit unique design inside and out.

Odaiba is home to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, the Museum of Maritime Science, the Oedo Onsen Monogatari theme park and Toyota’s massive interactive showroom Mega Web. For the best views of the area and the surrounding seascape merging with the Tokyo skyline, head to the 115m Ferris wheel in Palette Town or the observation deck in the Telecom Centre.

The journey from Tokyo to Odaiba itself is very scenic. The Yurikamome monorail crosses the bay high on Rainbow Bridge with spectacular views. The Yurikamome New Transit Monorail departs from Shimbashi Station, JR Yamanote Line. You can also reach Odaiba by boat from Hinode Pier.