Tokyo Bay is one of the most beautiful areas in Tokyo. The views are amazing no matter what you choose to do. The ocean combined with the multitude of skyscrapers and Rainbow Bridge make a sight worth seeing anytime! Here are 7 things you can do around this amazing place.
1. Relax in Odaiba Marine Park
What can be better than relaxing while watching the ocean waves? Odaiba Marine Park is the perfect place for a quiet afternoon. The park stretches for a few kilometers. There is a sandy section where you can stretch in the sun, a part with alleys that go along the water and a small separate area which has panoramic vision of Tokyo Bay. Swimming is unfortunately not permitted, but the surroundings are beautiful enough to make up for it.
Information
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Odaiba Kaihinkoen Station
2. Have a meal on water
Tokyo Bay fills every night with hundreds of small colorful boats. Many companies offer meals on water in these boats called “yakatbune” (= pleasure boats). Yakatabune are decorated with lanterns and have low traditional tables inside, where people sit on pillows. They are equipped with toilets, karaoke systems and air conditioning. The tours last from 1 to 3 hours and have to be booked beforehand. The fees start from 10.000 yen for one person, which includes food and drinks.
Information
- Name: Funasei yakatabune company
- Website: http://www.funasei.com/fsei_english.htm
3. Walk on Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge, the most famous and beautiful bridge in Tokyo can not only be crossed by car or trains, but also by pedestrians. It can be accessed from Shibaura Futo Station on the Yurikamome line and it will take you all over to Odaiba Marine Park. The walk takes around 40 minutes and the views are breathtaking, especially during the sunset. Keep in mind that even though you can bring your bicycle with you, riding it on the bridge is forbidden.
Information
- Opening hour: 09:00 ( from April to October ), 10:00 ( from November to March)
- Closing hour: 21:00 ( from April to October ), 18:00 ( from November to March)
- Holiday: 3rd Monday every month and from December 29 to 31
4. Ride the Daikanransha Ferris Wheel
The Daikanransha is one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the entire world. The views from inside it are one of the best you can see in Tokyo. Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree and the multitude of skyscrapers and builds around make an amazing sight, particularly at night. The 115 meters Ferris wheel is also equipped with a see through cabin which allows you to look through the floor and ceiling. A bit more expensive than the usual cabin, but totally worth it!
Information
- Price: 920 yen
- Access: a 20 minute walk from Odaiba Kaihinkoen Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 22:00
- Holiday: none
- Website: http://www.daikanransha.com/
5. Shop at one of the many malls in Odaiba
Odaiba offers a lot of shopping opportunities. Decks, Aquacity Odaiba, DiverCity and Venus Fort, all these malls have hundreds of stores which will surprise you with their products. From clothes and souvenirs to restaurants and cafes, the choices are literally endless.
6. Ride a ferry boat
The Tokyo Water Bus has several ferry lines which go across the bay and the nearby Sumida River. Riding a ferry is a great way to see the city and of course to experience some astonishing sights. The recommended ferry course to see the entire bay is the “Sea Park Course”, which runs between Odaiba and Kasai Rinkai Park.
Information
For timetable and fees for the Sea Park Course: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/waterbus/download/pdf/sanpo_o.pdf
7. Visit an observatory
Seeing Tokyo Bay from above is an experience that will be hardly outrun by anything else. As you can imagine, the best sights can be seen after the sunset. The million of little lights scattered all over the bay together with the colorful boats that fill the bay make an eerie image. The best place to do this is at Tokyo World Trade Center’s observatory, a cozy observation deck located at the 40th floor.
Information
- Name: Tokyo World Trade Center
- Address: 2 Chome-4-1 Hamamatsuchō, Minato-ku, Tōkyō-to 105-0013, Japan
- Price: 620 yen
- Access: a 5 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station
- Opening hour: 10:00
- Closing hour: 20:30
- Holiday: none
- Website: https://www.wtcbldg.co.jp/wtcb/facility/seaside/pdf/seaside_en.pdf
Tokyo Bay is one of the capital’s leading entertainment areas, and not to say that the views will leave you absolutely amazed. We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as possible!
Have a good trip and travel!
