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10 Things to Do Around Tokyo Bay

Fun around the water in the Odaiba area

Most cities across the world have developed around bodies of water, and Tokyo is no exception to that rule. Tokyo Bay covers part of Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa's coastline, and its shores are home to a variety of fun activities that ensure a pleasant visit.

The location of Tokyo Bay
The location of Tokyo Bay (Photo: Google Maps)

If you're visiting the Tokyo Bay area, this list covers 10 things to see and do while you're there. They're centered around Odaiba, which is one of the city's shopping and entertainment hubs.

Stroll around Odaiba Marine Park

Sitting right by the water, the Odaiba Marine Park is a great place to stroll around and appreciate the city's scenery – it offers some fantastic views of the Rainbow Bridge and the Tokyo skyline. It also provides some lovely seasonal color throughout the year, with blooms like hydrangeas, azaleas, and cherry blossoms found on the park grounds.

Photo: Dick Thomas JohnsonFollow / CC BY 2.0

Say hello to Lady Liberty

You'll notice an interesting statue in the marine park that may have you questioning your whereabouts for a moment – a replica of New York's iconic Statue of Liberty. The statue was originally erected in 1998 to symbolize the strength of Japan-France relations, but it was only meant to be a temporary addition to the city skyline. It ended up being so popular with visitors that a permanent statue was added in 2000.

Photo: Takayuki Nakagawa / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Ride on Palette Town's Ferris Wheel

One of the best ways to get a view of an area is from above, and you'll find a giant ferris wheel at the Palette Town shopping and entertainment complex. It stands at 115 meters high and 177 meters in diameter, and back when it originally opened it was the world's largest ferris wheel. The views you can enjoy from it are fantastic, particularly after dark when you can enjoy the city's lights.

Photo: camknows / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Do some shopping at Venus Fort

If retail therapy is your idea of a good time, you're spoiled for choice in the Odaiba area. One great place to burn through some yen is at Venus Fort, a shopping mall decked out in European-style decor. The venue is home to numerous Japanese and international retailers, and loads of dining options if you work up an appetite.

Photo: Carlos Alejo / CC BY-SA 2.0

See what's on at Tokyo Big Sight

This futuristic-looking building is Tokyo Big Sight, an international exhibition center that hosts a myriad of different events - the Tokyo Motor Show is just one example. Their website is updated regularly with what's on, so be sure to check it out before your intended visit.

Photo: Masato Ohta / CC BY 2.0

Enjoy digital art at TeamLab Borderless

Digital art has exploded in popularity in recent years, and the TeamLab group is at the forefront of that. TeamLab Borderless is located at the Palette Town complex, and it's a must if you want an ultra-Instagrammable photo or several. Unfortunately, the venue is scheduled to close at the end of August 2022, so get in while you can.

Photo: keimevo / CC BY-SA 2.0

Walk across the Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge crosses Tokyo Bay and connects Odaiba to the rest of the city, since Odaiba itself is a manmade island. Pedestrians are welcome to traverse the bridge, and it presents a great opportunity to soak up some of the city's sights from a unique vantage point. Famous sights like Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, and even Mount Fuji on clear days can be observed from different areas of the bridge, so keep your eyes peeled when you visit.

Photo: Gussisaurio / CC BY-SA 3.0

Head out on a Tokyo Bay Cruise

If you really want to experience Tokyo Bay up close, why not head out on the water? There are numerous different companies offering Tokyo Bay cruises, and many of them include dinner options and entertainment. It's the perfect way to appreciate the city from a different perspective.

Photo: Tokyoship / CC BY-SA 3.0

Engage your brain at the Miraikan

The Miraikan is also known as the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, and it's full of fantastic exhibits about space, robotics, life on planet Earth, and more. Along with the wide array of permanent exhibits on display, the museum often hosts limited-time exhibitions, so be sure to check their website if you're planning to stop by.

Photo: Yoshikazu TAKADA / CC BY 2.0

Marvel at the Unicorn Gundam statue

Outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, you'll find a full-scale statue of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam from the series Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. It was unveiled back in September of 2017, and replaced the previous RX-78-2 Gundam statue which was one of Odaiba's best-known attractions. The Unicorn Gundam stands at almost 20 meters in height, and is a popular photo spot for visitors to the area.

Photo: Tom Roseveare / JT
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Elena Lisina 2 years ago
Odaiba is one of my most favorite places in Tokyo. Didn't know that it's possible to walk on a Rainbow Bridge, only crossed it by monorail. My Japanese friend asked me if the Liberty Stature was the same as in New York and it made me laugh. :D
Sleiman Azizi 2 years ago
Lots of good info there!
Kim Author 2 years ago
Glad you liked it!
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