Odaiba is a man-made island built during the boom economy years. While the economic slowdown left much of it empty and derelict, it has been re-born as an seaside entertainment area. The main site of the 2012 Olympics Village, Odaiba is becoming more and more of a tourist hot spot.
Budget travel tips
- The trains in this area are very expensive, but it is possible to walk between most of the attractions. A recommended route is shown on the map below.
- Odaiba sometimes has a big event at the Tokyo Big Sight.
Things to do
A huge hot spring and relaxation complex.
Beaches (FREE)
These man-made beaches are a nice place to eat lunch. No swimming allowed though!
Gundam Statue
A huge, presumably ‘life-size’ model of a Gundam character, featuring special smoke and light effects.
Miraikan
A museum showing of the latest emerging technology from this tech-crazy country. Excellent permanent and special exhibitions.
Open: 10 AM to 7PM (closed on Tuesday and New Year’s)
Price: Adults 600 yen, Children 200 yen
Panasonic Centre (FREE)
This free exhibition shows of Panasonic’s latest technology and prototypes for the future, including a ‘home of the future’. Worth a visit if you have time.
Open: 10 AM to 5 PM
Palette Town
A rather strange shopping center, which inside is supposed to look like some kind of grand Italian city.
Aqua City shopping center
Another large shopping center, known for its famous noodle restaurant area.
Decks Tokyo Beach
A shopping mall, featuring Sega Joypolis (an indoor theme park), and plenty more.
How to get there
From Shinjuku station, take the Saikyo line (orange and blue JR line) to Osaki station, then the Rinkai line (private blue line) to Tokyo Teleport (24 mins, 480 yen). Some Saikyo line trains continue from Osaki on the Rinkai line, so there is no need to change .
From Tokyo station, take the Keiyo line (red JR line) to Shin-Kiba station, then the Rinkai line (private blue line) to Tokyo Teleport (22 mins, 420 yen).
Map
Recommended Hostels and Cheap Hotels
Odaiba is quite an expensive place, so try places in nearby Shinjuku or Akihabara.
Compare prices at Booking.com
Want to recommend a good place? Please contact us!
Matthew Baxter 