Tokyo/Odaiba - Wikitravel (original) (raw)

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, Koto and Shinagawa districts, the area is now a very popular shopping and entertainment destination.

Understand[edit]

Odaiba was originally constructed in 1853 by the Tokugawa shogunate as a series of 6 fortresses 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[edit]

Web links to major transportation companies.

Odaiba is linked to Tokyo proper by many bridges and tunnels, including the scenic Rainbow Bridge.

By plane[edit]

From Narita Airport[edit]

From Narita Airport, take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno Station, then take the Ginza Subway Line (a Tokyo metro line [9]) to Shinbashi where you can transfer to the Yurikamome for service to Odaiba (about 1 hour 45 minutes to Daiba station, ¥3020).

Regular and potentially-crowded Keisei express trains to Ueno station in place of the Skyliner increase the journey time slightly, but reduce the fare to ¥1550. An easier alternative is to change at Aoto for the Toei [10] Asakusa subway train to Shinbashi, where you can pick up the Yurikamome.

Japan Rail Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass holders can take the JR Narita Express [11] to Tokyo Station, then wait on the same platform and take a Yokosuka Line local train one stop to Shinbashi to get the Yurikamome. It takes about 90 minutes to Daiba station, and Rail Pass users only have to pay the Yurikamome fare (¥310 in this case). Non-pass users must pay a total of ¥3580.

Infrequent Airport Limousine buses [12] (six per day) run from the airport directly to the major hotels on Odaiba (about 70-75 minutes depending on traffic, ¥3100).

From Haneda Airport[edit]

Take the Tokyo Monorail [13] to Tennozu Isle and change to the Rinkai Line for direct access to Odaiba. A transfer to the Yurikamome can be made at Tokyo Teleport or Kokusai-Tenjijo stations (55 minutes to the latter, ¥960).

For the scenic route over the Rainbow Bridge, take a Keikyu line [14] train, running through to the Toei Asakusa subway line, and change at Shinbashi to the Yurikamome (50 minutes to Daiba station, ¥790).

Airport Limousine buses [15] depart once per hour (2-4 times between 2PM and 4PM) for Tokyo Big Sight (about 25−30 minutes) and the major hotels on Odaiba (about 15-20 minutes, ¥500-600). Departures from 8AM-5:30PM depending on location.

By train[edit]

Most visitors arrive in Odaiba via the automated Yurikamome [16] "new transit system", a cross between a train and a bus, from Shimbashi on the Yamanote line (or Shiodome station on the Toei Ōedo 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 ¥330 (any station farther will be ¥390), or you can buy a one-day pass for ¥820. You can also buy the cheapest ticket from Shimbashi to Shiodome for ¥190 and ride to the end of the line and back without exiting for excellent views of the island if you're tired of walking or feeling especially frugal.

The other option is to take the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (Rinkai Line [17], Japanese only) from Ōsaki on the JR Yamanote Line or Shin-Kiba on the Metro Yurakucho line. Many of the trains connect directly from Ōsaki to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ōmiya, and Kawagoe via the JR-East Saikyō Line. While slightly faster, the train travels mostly underground and doesn't provide much in the way of views.

By bus[edit]

Toei city buses [18] provide cheaper (¥200 per ride) if slower access to Odaiba. 虹01 connects to Hamamatsu-cho, 海01 connects to Monzennaka-cho, 東16 connects to Tokyo station from Tokyo Big Sight. A few special bus services to other destinations are available weekends only. The private bus company Keikyu operates buses to Haneda airport [19], and Shinagawa and Yokohama directions [20].

The free Bay Shuttle bus runs along a circular route within Odaiba (round-trip ca. 40 minutes) connecting the parking lots and museums in Aomi district with the shopping malls, the hotels and the Fuji TV building. Unfortunately, stops are hard to find so try to ask at the information counters of shoppings malls, ticket counters, etc.

By boat[edit]

Suijobus Ferries [21] also operate between Hinode Pier (on the Yurikamome line) and several stops in Odaiba. ¥520 one way. Tokyo Mizube Line [22] (Japanese only) offers general transportation and special cruises.

Some of the boats connect to Asakusa along the Sumida river and to Kasai Rinkai Park near Tokyo Disney Resort.

On foot[edit]

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. The view over the Port of Tokyo is nice especially around sunset, though in winter (Nov to Mar), you have to enter by 5:30PM and to exit by 6PM. In other months you can enter the pedestrian part of the road from 9AM-8:30PM (30 minutes before you have to exit). Closed on the 3rd Monday every month and 29-31 Dec.

Keep in mind that the Shibaura-side entrance can be hard to find, and that you have to choose which side to walk beforehand. The northern side is recommended if you wish to look at buildings in the city center from above the port.

See[edit]

Do[edit]

Inside Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari

Buy[edit]

Odaiba is an unabashed paean to commercialism and features more malls than you can shake a stick at. Prices are somewhat higher than on the mainland.

Eat[edit]

There are plenty of eating options in Odaiba's shopping malls and attractions, although prices are generally a little higher than on the mainland.

Drink[edit]

Sleep[edit]

There is a cluster of luxury hotels near Yurikakome Daiba station.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

WikiPedia:Odaiba