Tokyo Odaiba - 10 Things to Do on the Island

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Odaiba is one of Tokyo’s districts for entertainment and shopping. The island is man-made and today offers many sights and attractions for visitors. One of Odaiba’s definite highlights is the Rainbow Bridge. But the many museums, shopping malls and the Statue of Liberty also attract plenty of visitors.

Odaiba Attractions: 10 Highlights and Things to Do on Odaiba

Exactly how to get to Odaiba in Tokyo and what you can visit there is something we explored on our Tokyo trip and summarized for you. Of course, these are by no means all the things you can do on Odaiba. But this will definitely fill a full day trip.

Accommodation in Tokyo – Our Hotel Tip

The selection of hotels in Tokyo is huge, and it’s always a good idea to have a metro station close to your hotel. the Hotel SUI Akasaka by Abest and can highly recommend it. We even stayed there a second time because we really liked it overall.

Rooms in Tokyo are usually much smaller, but they offer everything you need. At the Hotel Sui Akasaka by Abest, they are equipped with a coffee machine, kettle, refrigerator, air conditioning, bathroom with modern Japanese toilet, tablet, TV, and reliable, free Wi-Fi. There are also USB ports and sockets for non-Japanese plugs. Nothing is left to be desired. Another highlight is the roof terrace, and there are other amenities such as washing machines and a directly connected café.

Popular neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo include Shinjuku, Akihabara, or Asakusa. You can find more hotels in other districts of Tokyo here.

How to Get to Odaiba

The man-made island of Odaiba can easily be reached by train in Tokyo. It is best to check how to get to Shimbashi Station, for example, by using the Asakusa Line, Yamanote Line or Ginza Line. From Shimbashi Station, continue with the Yurikamome Line directly to Odaiba. There are several stations where you can get off, but we recommend Daiba Station, as it is a great starting point for visiting Odaiba.

1. Aqua City Odaiba

Aqua City Shopping Mall is one of the shopping centers on Odaiba. Spread over 5 floors, you will find around 60 boutiques, cafés, restaurants and even a cinema. If you are into ramen like we are, there is a highlight on the 5th floor: Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai. There you can try 6 different types of ramen that come from various regions of Japan.

In addition, you can visit the Aqua City Odaiba Shrine (Akuashitiodaiba Shrine), where legend has it that 7 wishes come true. Or you can simply enjoy the view of the Rainbow Bridge and Statue of Liberty. It is open daily from 11.00 AM to 11.00 PM and if you get hungry during your visit to Odaiba, be sure to stop by Aqua City.

2. Fuji TV Observation Deck

For us, this is one of the top attractions among Odaiba’s sights. We love the Tokyo viewpoints and the spherical observation deck of the Fuji TV building is already a real eye-catcher from the outside. While the inside is not quite as impressive, a visit is still worth it. The view of Tokyo, the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba is truly fantastic.

Open daily from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM, the entrance fee of 700 yen is also reasonable. If you are an anime fan, there is something else for you to discover inside. You will find several characters from series such as One Piece and Dragon Ball there.

3. Statue of Liberty on Odaiba

In 1998, the Statue of Liberty on Odaiba was temporarily erected at a scale of 1 to 7 compared to the Statue of Liberty in New York. It was a tribute to the relationship with France. However, since the Statue of Liberty became one of Odaiba’s most popular attractions, the city decided to keep it.

You can find it near the Aqua City Shopping Mall, with a view of the Rainbow Bridge behind it (see next point). It even has two sister cities in Japan, in the cities of Osaka and Shimoda. A sight that you will only admire briefly, but a great photo opportunity on Odaiba.

4. Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge is the bridge that connects Odaiba with the rest of Tokyo. On two levels, traffic moves across the bridge, allowing cars, trains and pedestrians to cross. The name Rainbow Bridge comes from the fact that the otherwise white bridge is illuminated in rainbow colors during December.

But even if you are not there for the light show, the Rainbow Bridge with the Tokyo skyline in the background offers a great photo opportunity that you can see from Odaiba. The other way around is also possible. You can visit the Rainbow Bridge on foot and then enjoy the view of the island of Odaiba. If you plan to do this, pay attention to the opening hours (in summer from 9.00 AM to 9.00 PM and in winter from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM).

5. Oedo Onsen Monogatari

Onsen are very popular in Japan, but traditional onsen are rare in Tokyo. Oedo Onsen Monogatari on Odaiba is heated with natural springs, but it is much more than just an onsen. In addition to the hot baths, there is also a kind of amusement park that catapults you back into the Edo period, as Tokyo was once called.

Oedo Onsen Monogatari on Odaiba offers 13 different thermal baths, including a footbath, communal baths, outdoor baths, steam baths and more. Massages for relaxation are also offered and are a great combination with the thermal baths.

In the Edo amusement park, you can discover old Tokyo after relaxing. Old streets and buildings that were constructed based on historical models. Try your hand at throwing ninja stars at the Japanese fair or taste traditional Japanese sweets and dishes. It is open daily from 11.00 AM to 9.00 AM the next day with an entrance fee of 2380 yen, or 2580 yen on weekends.

Note: As is often the case in Japan, you are not allowed to enter the onsen with tattoos. These are associated with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. Even though things are becoming more relaxed in Japan, Oedo Onsen Monogatari still adheres to this tradition.

6. Visit the Gundam Statue on Odaiba

One of Odaiba’s attractions is definitely the huge Gundam statue in front of the DiverCity Mall. It is 19.7 meters tall and comes from the series Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. From 7.30 PM to 9.30 PM, there is a show at the Gundam statue every 30 minutes. During this time, it is illuminated and even transforms.

There is also a 1-minute show during the day at 11.00 AM, 1.00 PM, 3.00 PM and 5.00 PM. This is also impressive, even if it looks more imposing at night. But even if you do not go to the shows, the huge Gundam statue, which will probably remind Western visitors more of Transformers, is worth a photo stop. We found it very entertaining and recommend a visit if you want to marvel at something completely different.

7. Museum of Maritime Science

The Museum of Maritime Science offers 5 areas spread over 6 floors for visitors. One of the highlights is also the location. The museum is situated on a ship that was modeled after the Queen Elizabeth II.

There is a lot to see: you can learn about the history of ships in Japan, view various artifacts, watch a film in the ocean theater or try out a navigation simulation. If you are interested in maritime history and still have time on Odaiba, you should definitely stop by the Museum of Maritime Science. It is open daily from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, and admission is free. However, it is closed on Mondays.

8. National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation

The Miraikan, as the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is called, has been open to visitors since 2001. Here you can marvel at everything related to innovation and future research, and there is quite a lot of that in Japan.

But the museum does not only offer interesting technology to look at but also to touch. You can try out various things, explore the solar system, watch robot shows or take part in a science workshop. Admission costs 620 yen, and it is open daily from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, except on Tuesdays.

9. Ferris Wheel (Daikanransha)

The Ferris wheel on Odaiba is another highlight of the artificial island and is located in what is known as Palette Town. It is an entertainment and shopping complex that also includes Venus Fort, Toyota Mega Web and the Digital Art Museum (see next point).

There are many things of superlatives in Tokyo! This also applies to the Ferris wheel, which is one of the largest in the world and stands 115 meters tall. It is open daily from 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM, and even until 11.00 PM on weekends. A ticket costs 1000 yen and is absolutely worth it. One rotation takes about 15 minutes and offers you wonderful views of Odaiba and Tokyo.

10. teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum

If you enjoy visiting museums and are also interested in modern, digital art, then the Digital Art Museum is definitely for you. Here, art without borders has been created without having a fixed plan. Everything is integrated into the art – walls, ceilings and even the floor.

Different worlds have been created, including the world of flowers, crystal world, the forest of lamps and the Multi Jumping Universe. There are also temporary projects, for example, during cherry blossom season. A truly alternative but fascinating museum.

If you want to visit teamLab’s Digital Art Museum on Odaiba, you can do so daily from 11.00 AM to 5.00 PM (on weekends it is open longer). Opening hours may vary depending on the season, so it is best to check online in advance on the museum’s website. You must also purchase tickets in advance there, as they are not sold at the door. Admission is 3200 yen for adults.

Tokyo Odaiba: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Tokyo Odaiba in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Odaiba and Tokyo.

How to Get to Tokyo

The international trip to Tokyo does not offer many options, since Japan is an island country. So the plane is usually the only option to get to the Japanese capital. Tokyo has two airports, Narita and Haneda Airport.

There are direct flights to Tokyo from all over the world as well as Europe or other Asian countries. Narita Airport serves most international flights, but Haneda also handles some of them. However, the majority of flights at Haneda Airport are domestic flights. For a good overview of times, prices and airlines, we can recommend Skyscanner.

Note: There are also ferry connections, e.g. from China or South Korea to Japan, but not directly to Tokyo. There you would have to travel to Tokyo via Kyushu or Osaka. You can find more information at 12go.asia.

Other options if you are traveling to Tokyo within Japan are the bus and train. The Shinkansen express trains are the most popular, but there are also many other trains to choose from. If you are in Japan a little longer, then a Japan Rail Pass is worth it, because most routes within Japan can be covered quickly and easily by train. Absolute recommendation!

Have you ever visited Odaiba Island in Tokyo? How did you like it there? Do you know any other things to do in Odaiba?