Odaiba: Walk Across Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba Marine Park, Fuji TV Headquarters Building, and Miraikan

History and Local Charm

The waters of Odaiba retain the history of the late Edo period. Alarmed by the arrival of Matthew C. Perry's fleet in 1853, the Edo shogunate constructed six island batteries (daiba). Daisan Daiba and Dairoku Daiba still remain today.

On August 26, 1993, the Rainbow Bridge opened over these waters. Built as a new symbol of the Port of Tokyo and as a link connecting the city center with the Tokyo Waterfront City (Rinkai Fukutoshin), it is a double-deck suspension bridge. The lower deck features a pedestrian walkway that allows visitors to cross over the sea on foot.

Across the bridge in Odaiba lies the sandy beach of Odaiba Marine Park, which opened in 1975. In 1996, the Fuji TV Headquarters Building, designed by architect Tange Kenzo, was completed along the coast. Further south in Aomi, Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation opened in 2001 as a national science museum.

This course traces the waterfront area on foot and via the Yurikamome transit line, letting you view historic battery sites from above the sea, walk across the bridge, and visit the sandy beach, the spherical observatory, and the science museum.

Key Highlights

• ​Rainbow Bridge Promenade Shibaura Side​​: Also known as the "Rainbow Promenade," this walkway extends 1.7 kilometers to the Odaiba side entrance, taking about 20 to 30 minutes to cross on foot. From the North Route, you can see Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree, while the South Route offers views of Odaiba Marine Park and Dairoku Daiba. Observation balconies along the path provide even clearer panoramic vistas.
• ​Odaiba Marine Park​​: A park featuring sandy shores and rocky areas surrounding a cove. The white sand of the approximately 800-meter-long artificial "Odaiba Beach" was brought from Kozushima Island in the Izu Islands. Visitors can wade along the water's edge, though swimming is prohibited. From the observation deck near the roughly 11-meter-tall Statue of Liberty, you can enjoy sweeping views of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower.
• ​Fuji TV Headquarters Building​​: Officially named the "FCG Building," this structure was designed by Tange Kenzo. A sphere measuring 32 meters in diameter and weighing 1,200 tons is integrated into its lattice-like frame. Inside the sphere on the 25th floor is the "Hachitama" spherical observation room, offering a 270-degree view of the waterfront area from 100 meters above the ground.
• ​Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation​​: A national science museum that opened on July 9, 2001. The museum's symbol is the "Geo-Cosmos," a sphere roughly 6 meters in diameter suspended in an open atrium that displays the Earth as it shines in space. Visitors can also enjoy the permanent exhibitions on the 3rd and 5th floors, as well as the Dome Theater on the 6th floor.

Recommended Route and Duration

The recommended itinerary takes approximately 6 hours. From Shibaura-futo Station on the Yurikamome line, it is a 5-minute walk to the Shibaura-side entrance of the Rainbow Bridge Promenade. Starting from the Shibaura side is convenient because an elevator takes you directly up to the walkway. Restrooms are available on the Shibaura side, but none are located on the Daiba side. Elevators for the North and South routes are separate, and whichever route you choose continues all the way to the end. If you want to view Odaiba Marine Park as you approach, choose the South Route.

After crossing the bridge, walk along the coast to Odaiba Marine Park. Stroll on the sandy beach and look back from the observation deck at the bridge you just crossed. Fuji TV Headquarters Building is approximately 540 meters south-southwest of the park. Take the elevator in the 1st-floor Fuji TV Mall up to the 7th floor, then transfer to the elevator bound for "Hachitama." From the Fujisan Terrace on the 7th floor, you can look up at "Hachitama" directly from below.

From Fuji TV Headquarters Building to Miraikan, it is about 860 meters south-southeast in a straight line. You can walk or take the Yurikamome line from Daiba Station to Telecom Center Station. Miraikan is about a 4-minute walk from Telecom Center Station. The promenade and the science museum have regular closure dates, and the walkway may be closed due to severe weather, so be sure to check before setting out.

Summary of the Experience

A bridge crossed on foot over the sea, white sandy shores with the Statue of Liberty, Tange Kenzo's spherical observatory, and the Geo-Cosmos projecting the Earth as seen from space. The waters that once held the late-Edo gun batteries are now a gathering place for new Tokyo scenery. Take a full day to savor the breeze on the bridge and the panoramic vistas from the observatory.