Odaiba guide: history, hidden spots and events nearby

The cannon batteries the shogunate built in the sea to face Perry's fleet are now a seaside park with a sandy beach and views of Rainbow Bridge. From the same beach you can see Daiba Park, where a battery survives intact, and Tokyo Aqua Symphony, a fountain show up to 150 m high that started in March 2026.

Kyochika's tips

Our recommendation: reach the beach in the late afternoon and take in the sunset, then the bridge lights, then the fountain show. Each show is about 10 minutes and free, so plan your beach walk around the timetable.
Rather than coming only for the Gundam statue (its display ended on August 31, 2026), walk out to the battery ruins at Daiba Park. Looking at today's Odaiba towers from the top of a 19th-century sea fort is a view we think you will not find anywhere else.

Events near Odaiba now and coming up

Within 1.5 km, nearest first. Checked against official pages.

Visiting info

Odaiba Seaside Park	About 800 m of artificial beach (Odaiba Beach). Swimming is normally not allowed (only during the summer Odaiba Plage event). Showers and lockers at Marine House: Apr–Sep 9:00–19:00, Oct–Mar 9:00–18:00, Dec 29–Jan 3 9:00–16:00
Tokyo Aqua Symphony (fountain show)	Free, no reservation. About 10 minutes per show. The number and times of shows change by season (GO TOKYO lists 10 shows a day, 15:00–21:30). Shows may be cancelled or lowered in bad weather
Rainbow Bridge walkway	Apr–Oct 9:00–21:00, Nov–Mar 10:00–18:00 (last entry 30 min before closing). Closed on the 3rd Monday of each month (next day if a holiday). Free. No pets, no riding bicycles, no tripods
Address	1-4 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Odaiba Seaside Park)
Getting there	3 min walk from Odaiba-kaihinkoen or Daiba Station (Yurikamome), 10 min from Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line). Daiba Park (the Third Battery) is about 15 min on foot from Odaiba-kaihinkoen Station. Water buses run from Hinode Pier, Asakusa and Toyosu
Parking	Central lot 101 spaces, North lot 244 spaces (both 24 hours). ¥400 for the first hour, then ¥200 per 30 min (North lot max ¥2,000 per 24 hours)

Checked on 2026-10-27 against the official pages. Hours and fees can change; please check before you go.

Sources: Tokyo Port Terminal "Kaijo Koen Navi": Odaiba Seaside Park & Daiba Park FAQ (Japanese) / Tokyo Port Terminal "Kaijo Koen Navi": highlights & facilities (Japanese) / Tokyo Port Terminal "Kaijo Koen Navi": access & parking (Japanese) / GO TOKYO: Tokyo Aqua Symphony (Japanese) / Tokyo Port and Harbor Bureau: Rainbow Bridge walkway notice (Japanese) / JAF Mate: August 26 is Rainbow Bridge Day (Japanese)

What was Odaiba originally?

In 1853, after Perry's fleet arrived, the shogunate planned 11 cannon batteries (daiba) from offshore Shinagawa to Fukagawa Suzaki, under the guidance of Egawa Tarozaemon Hidetatsu, the magistrate of Nirayama in Izu. Money ran short and only six were completed: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, plus the Gotenyama-shita battery on land. The fill came from cutting down the hills of Gotenyama, Yatsuyama and Takanawa Sengakuji and was carried by boat; on some days 5,000 laborers and 2,000 boats were at work.

The shogunate's batteries off Shinagawa were called “O-daiba,” the origin of today's place name. They were designated a national historic site in 1926, and on July 7, 1928 the Third Battery opened to the public as Daiba Park. Only the Third and Sixth Batteries survive, and the Sixth cannot be visited.

As land reclamation continued, Odaiba Seaside Park opened in 1975 as one of Tokyo's first marine parks. A plan for the Rinkai waterfront subcenter was drawn up in 1989; Rainbow Bridge opened in 1993, the Yurikamome line in November 1995, and Fuji TV moved its headquarters here in 1997. The World City Expo planned for 1996 was cancelled in 1995.

Sources: 品川区「品川台場」解説（品川歴史館） (Japanese) / コトバンク「台場」 (Japanese) / 東京都建設局「台場公園」資料 (Japanese) / 東京都港湾局「海上公園50周年」（2025年11月27日） (Japanese) / 乗りものニュース「パレットタウンも消滅へお台場どうなる？」 (Japanese)

Why is there a Statue of Liberty in Odaiba?

From April 1998 to January 1999, to mark the “Year of France in Japan,” the Statue of Liberty that stands on an island in the Seine in Paris came to Odaiba. It was the statue's first trip out of Paris in the 109 years since it was erected in 1889.

As its return approached, many people asked for it to stay. Fuji TV, the local development council and others proposed a replica to the City of Paris. With the city's permission a mold was taken from the original and cast at a foundry near Paris using the same method. Today's statue was unveiled on December 22, 2000.

Sources: ニッポン旅マガジン「お台場海浜公園・自由の女神像」 (Japanese) / 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園見どころ＆施設案内」 (Japanese)

The domain that guarded the battery nearly went bankrupt

The Third Battery was guarded by the Oshi domain, whose castle stood in present-day Gyoda, Saitama. Its lord, Matsudaira Tadakuni, had also been responsible for coastal defense around the Boso Peninsula since 1842.

On top of the battery duty came the Ansei earthquake of 1855 and the Ansei flood of 1859, and the domain's debts swelled to about 760,000 ryo. It reportedly cut its retainers' stipends by 40 percent to get by.

Sources: ニッポン旅マガジン「台場公園第三台場・陣屋跡」 (Japanese)

17 years of Gundam in Odaiba

In summer 2009 a life-size 18 m Gundam (RX-78-2) stood in Shiokaze Park for 52 days and drew about 4.15 million visitors. In April 2012 it returned in front of the newly opened DiverCity Tokyo and stayed until March 5, 2017.

From September 2017 it was replaced by a 19.7 m Unicorn Gundam that “transformed” every day, its horn splitting and its frame glowing red. A final ceremony was held on August 29, 2026, and the display ended on August 31 after about nine years. As of October 27, 2026, no new statue has been announced.

Sources: バンダイナムコほかプレスリリース（2016年12月1日） (Japanese) / インサイド「実物大ガンダム、お台場に再び」（2012年4月17日） (Japanese) / Tokyo Weekender: Unicorn Gundam statue display to end in August / AV Watch「ユニコーンガンダム立像最後のセレモニー」（2026年8月31日） (Japanese) / ファミ通.com「ユニコーンガンダム立像ファイナルセレモニー」（2026年8月21日） (Japanese)

The public named Rainbow Bridge

Its official name is the Tokyo Port Connecting Bridge. It opened on August 26, 1993, linking Shibaura and Daiba, and the name “Rainbow Bridge” was chosen through a public call for names. It is 798 m long, and its towers rise 126 m above the sea.

The upper deck carries the Shuto Expressway Daiba Line; the lower deck carries the Yurikamome line, a local road and walkways. The Rainbow Promenade is free to walk, and it sometimes stays open overnight from New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.

Sources: JAF Mate「8月26日はレインボーブリッジの日」 (Japanese) / 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園見どころ＆施設案内」 (Japanese) / 東京都港湾局「レインボーブリッジ遊歩道」のお知らせ (Japanese)

A “swimmable sea,” inspired by Paris

Minato City wants to make the sea at Odaiba, the triathlon venue of the Tokyo 2020 Games, a place where people can swim. It works with the City of Paris, which made the Seine swimmable, to recreate the atmosphere of the Paris Plages summer beach.

In 2026, during Odaiba Plage from July 17 to 21, swimming was allowed from 14:00 to 19:00, with beach-seine fishing and evening films. Swimming is otherwise prohibited, so this is the only window.

Sources: 港区「令和8年度お台場海水浴『お台場プラージュ』を開催します」 (Japanese) / 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園公園Q&A」 (Japanese)

teamLab started here too

In 2016 the exhibition “DMM.Planets Art by teamLab” in Odaiba closed after 47 days, with some visitors waiting more than six hours. It became the basis for teamLab Planets in Toyosu.

In 2018 teamLab Borderless opened at Palette Town (it has since moved to Azabudai Hills). Odaiba was also the starting point of Tokyo's immersive art boom.

Sources: チームラボ「SPICE 掲載記事」（2018年6月27日） (Japanese) / るるぶ&more.「チームラボボーダレス麻布台ヒルズ」 (Japanese)

Getting there by taxi and bus

🚕 Taxi

Tokyo Station taxi stands (Marunouchi North / South, Yaesu) Tokyo Station has one stand each on the Marunouchi North side, the Marunouchi South side and the Yaesu side. Taxis can drop you near Fuji TV or DiverCity Tokyo Plaza; about 20 minutes and roughly 3,500-4,000 yen one way (varies with traffic).

🚌 Bus

Tokyo Teleport Station (東京テレポート駅前), stops 4-5 Toei Bus 海01 for Monzen-nakacho (stop 5 runs direct via Daiba 2-chome)
Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit (東京駅八重洲口), stop 10 Toei Bus 東16 for Tokyo Big Sight. Get off at Ariake 1-chome and walk; about 30-40 minutes, adult 210 yen

Other ways to get around

Water bus (海上バス) The water bus landing at Odaiba Kaihin Park is a walk from Daiba, Tokyo Teleport and Odaiba-kaihinkoen stations (operator and timetable not covered by our sources).

Odaiba is mainly reached by rail (Yurikamome, Rinkai Line); buses are few. Suica and PASMO are accepted on the Toei Bus (NEWT). You can also book a taxi by app: GO works in English with foreign phone numbers and cards, Uber books licensed taxis in Tokyo, and since early 2026 visitors can call S.RIDE taxis through DiDi in the 23 wards and nearby.

Sources: Toei Bus stop guide: Tokyo Teleport / Tokyo (Japanese) / JR East: Tokyo Station taxi stands (Japanese) / NEWT: getting to Odaiba (Japanese) / Tokyo Port Authority: Odaiba access (Japanese) / Japan Taxi Apps for Tourists (Oct 12, 2026)

Our suggested route

From Odaiba-kaihinkoen Station to the beach 3 min from the station. Step onto Odaiba Beach and look straight across at Rainbow Bridge (5 min).
Statue of Liberty On the deck at the west end of the beach. The statue, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower fit in one frame (10 min).
Daiba Park (Third Battery) About 15 min on foot from the station. Walk around the top of the stone walls and see the guard office, magazine and gun sites (30 min).
Back to the beach for the fountain Head to the observation deck in time for a Tokyo Aqua Symphony show. About 10 min.
Fuji TV and DiverCity Walk toward Daiba Station, see the Fuji TV building with its sphere, and eat at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza.

The 15-minute walk to Daiba Park and the 10-minute fountain show come from the sources. Other times are our estimate; the full loop takes about 2–3 hours. Start in the late afternoon to finish with the night view and the fountain.

Sources: 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園アクセス・駐車場」 (Japanese) / 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園見どころ＆施設案内」 (Japanese) / GO TOKYO「東京アクアシンフォニー」 (Japanese)

What to see by season

Late January – late February	Kawazu cherry blossoms
Late March – early April	Oshima and Somei-yoshino cherries; satozakura and double-flowered cherries from early to late April
July (Odaiba Plage)	Limited-time sea swimming. In 2026 it ran July 17–21, 14:00–19:00
Apr–Oct / Nov–Mar	Rainbow Bridge's lighting pattern changes between summer (Apr–Oct) and winter (Nov–Mar)
Saturdays in December	Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks. In 2026: December 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 19:00 for about 5 minutes, launched off the Statue of Liberty
December 31 – January 1	The Rainbow Bridge walkway stays open overnight and the New Year sunrise can be seen from the south walkway (announced each year by the Port Bureau)

Sources: 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園公園Q&A」 (Japanese) / 港区「令和8年度お台場海水浴『お台場プラージュ』を開催します」 (Japanese) / ウォーカープラス「お台場レインボー花火2026」 (Japanese) / 東京都港湾局「年末年始の海上公園・橋の開放」 (Japanese)

Daiba Park or the Gotenyama-shita battery site in Shinagawa?

Of the six batteries completed, only the Third Battery (Daiba Park) survives in shape and can be entered. The Sixth Battery is preserved as a historic site and closed to visitors.

The Gotenyama-shita battery was built connected to land; today half of it is occupied by Daiba Elementary School in Shinagawa, and a five-sided road still traces its outline.

Our take: to feel a “fort in the sea” by walking its walls and ruins, go to Daiba Park; if you enjoy tracing hidden history on a map, try the Gotenyama-shita site. Visit both and you will see how the batteries once lined the sea off Shinagawa.

Sources: 東京都建設局「台場公園」資料 (Japanese) / コトバンク「台場」 (Japanese) / ニッポン旅マガジン「御殿山下台場跡」 (Japanese)

Nearby: combine with

Walk across Rainbow Bridge Cross on the walkway from the Shibaura side and you look down on Daiba Park and the Sixth Battery from above the sea. Open until 21:00 from April to October.
teamLab Planets and Toyosu Market On the same Yurikamome line. Our suggestion: the market and immersive art in Toyosu in the morning, then Odaiba in the afternoon, ending with the fountain and the night view.
Miraikan The science museum GO TOKYO lists among Odaiba's highlights. On rainy days, lean toward it and the indoor malls.

Sources: 東京都港湾局「レインボーブリッジ遊歩道」のお知らせ (Japanese) / GO TOKYO「お台場」 (Japanese)

Little-known spots

Inside Daiba Park: The Third Battery is a hollow surrounded by stone walls 5–7 m high. Inside are the sites of the guard office, the powder magazine and the cooking hearths, plus a gun emplacement reconstructed in 1933.
A castle stamp: The Shinagawa batteries were named one of the “Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles” in April 2017. The stamp is at the park information center on the 1st floor of Marine House.
White sand from Kozushima: Odaiba Beach is an artificial beach about 800 m long; its white sand was brought from Kozushima, an island south of Tokyo.
Clam digging: Clam digging is allowed year-round (best in spring and summer). Clams under 2.5 cm must go back. No equipment rental.
Fuji TV's sphere: The headquarters, designed by Kenzo Tange, was completed in April 1997. On the 25th floor, 100 m up, is a 32 m sphere observation deck called Hachitama. The building's proportions are said to match the 16:9 HDTV ratio.
The Gundam Base Tokyo: The Unicorn Gundam statue ended its display on August 31, 2026, but THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO, the Gunpla store inside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, is still open.

Sources: 東京都建設局「台場公園」資料 (Japanese) / ニッポン旅マガジン「台場公園第三台場・陣屋跡」 (Japanese) / 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園見どころ＆施設案内」 (Japanese) / 海上公園なび「お台場海浜公園＆台場公園公園Q&A」 (Japanese) / ニッポン旅マガジン「フジテレビ本社ビル」 (Japanese) / ファミ通.com「ユニコーンガンダム立像ファイナルセレモニー」（2026年8月21日） (Japanese)

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Odaiba?

About 800 m of artificial beach (Odaiba Beach). Swimming is normally not allowed (only during the summer Odaiba Plage event). Showers and lockers at Marine House: Apr–Sep 9:00–19:00, Oct–Mar 9:00–18:00, Dec 29–Jan 3 9:00–16:00

How do I get to Odaiba?

3 min walk from Odaiba-kaihinkoen or Daiba Station (Yurikamome), 10 min from Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line). Daiba Park (the Third Battery) is about 15 min on foot from Odaiba-kaihinkoen Station. Water buses run from Hinode Pier, Asakusa and Toyosu

What was Odaiba originally?

What are some little-known spots in Odaiba?

Inside Daiba Park, A castle stamp, White sand from Kozushima, Clam digging, Fuji TV's sphere, The Gundam Base Tokyo.

More Tokyo sights & gardens → · This guide in Japanese

We list events we could confirm on the official page or official Instagram of the venue or organiser. Details can change, tickets sell out and venues close, so check the official page before you go. Distances are straight-line and travel times are rough estimates. Photos show the venue or its surroundings, not the event itself. Titles and descriptions are our own translations from Japanese. This site contains affiliate links (ads).