The Rainbow Bridge is a Tokyo landmark connecting the island of Odaiba with the rest of the city. At the end of Golden Week, I decided to walk across it and see a different view of Odaiba and Tokyo Bay. It’s actually quite a nice spot and I was quite happy with some of the photos.
Everyone knows that Odaiba is a man-made island, but I had no idea that it dates back from just after World War II or that there were once seven such “daiba” built or planned during the Edo Period for defense against the West. They were originally called houdai, and they contained cannon batteries and powder magazines. This photo shows the Daisan Daiba (third daiba), which is now a very nice and little-visited park that you can get to from the Odaiba side.
The walk along the bridge usually starts from Tamachi Station on the Yamanote Line. Go out the West Exit and walk straight down Nagisa Dori Street, and you will come to the bridge after a 10 or 15 minute walk. Shibaura Station on the subway Yurikamome Line.
These fire department boats were practicing for some kind of display.
This is the Dairoku Daiba. It has been left to nature, and no visitors allowed on it. It seems a little strange in such a crowded city. If you know why it has neither been developed nor destroyed, please leave the answer in the comments!
The air on the Tokyo side is quite dirty, and the scenery is rather industrial, so if you just want to go for the views, it might be better to start from Tokyo Teleport Station on the Odaiba side and not cross.
Here’s an interesting post (Japanese only) about the history of the area’s development:
http://oldmaproom.aki.gs/m03a_coastline/m03a_daiba/daiba.htm
Great photos. Too bad they don’t allow people on to Dairoku Daiba. Do people go kayaking in that part of Tokyo bay and the river mouth? If I lived there and had a kayak, I would visit that island. Looks like nobody is watching it. How would the police or coast guard know if someone went there I wonder.
Thanks. I saw a windsurfer, but no kayakers. I have no idea if it’s being watched, but I didn’t see anyone around.
I recently did the same walk, twice and round trip. http://traveljapanblog.com/wordpress/tag/odaiba/
The air quality depends more on the weather than anything else. In my four times over the bridge the air was only poor once, on the north side when the wind was blowing to the north.
Thanks for the info. It sure did stink when I was there, though.
Hi, I am planning to go on Honeymoon to Japan next year and was thinking about staying in Odaiba bay in the Nikko Hotel – does it take long to get from there to central tokyo? Is it a nice place to stay? I love your ohotos by the way. Emily x
I guess it’s a trade off between staying somewhere with a nicer atmosphere or spending more time to get to tourist attractions. You could probably get to most places in Tokyo within 30 minutes to an hour.
Looks like an interesting walk. I like the idea that the little island was left for nature to take over.
WOW! You have such a beautiful city.
Gorgeous photos! Tokyo is for sure one of the most interesting travel destinations worldwide.
Thanks for the info and gorgeous photos!