Odaiba Attractions: 10 Best Things to Do in Odaiba

Odaiba is a large artificial island built in Tokyo Bay with plenty of fun things to do and places to eat, from cruising by the Rainbow Bridge at sunset to lounging on the Odaiba Marine Park Beach. 

Originally constructed in the 1850s by the Edo shogunate as a fortification against marine threats (the word “daiba” itself is Japanese for “forts”), the island found new life in the 1990s when it was transformed into a commercial, residential and leisure hub. 

Today, Odaiba has blossomed into a thriving destination for locals and visitors, featuring landmarks like the miniature Statue of Liberty and the towering Unicorn Gundam statue. 

Planning a trip to Odaiba? Here are the top attractions and must-do activities to make the most of your visit.

Odaiba is located in Tokyo Bay just off the coast of Tokyo's Shibaura area, connected to the mainland by the Rainbow Bridge; while most of the island falls within Koto Ward, parts of its north and northwest sections extend into the Minato and Shinagawa Wards. "Daiba" itself technically refers to a specific district within Odaiba in Minato Ward.

To get to Odaiba, take the driverless Yurikamome monorail to Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station. This scenic route winds past skyscrapers, starting from Shimbashi Station and ending at Toyosu Station near Toyosu Market. The journey itself is an experience, attracting couples and families and even train enthusiasts geeking out over Japan’s automated guideway transit. 

Alternatively, you can also head to the Tokyo Teleport Station, which is closer to most major sights in Odaiba. 

• From Tokyo Station to Odaiba: Take a train to Shimbashi Station, then transfer to the Yurikamome Line. It’s a 13-minute ride from Shimbashi to Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station on the Yurikamome Line. 

• From Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, or Shibuya Stations to Odaiba: The fastest route is the Rinkai Line, which takes you directly to Tokyo Teleport Station, conveniently located near most major sights in Odaiba, without requiring any transfers.

The yakatabune, or traditional Japanese pleasure boats, were once popular among feudal lords and samurai during the Heian Period for hosting social gatherings. Furnished with tatami mats, low tables and often featuring geisha entertainment, these small boats provided an intimate, and perhaps hedonistic, setting for mingling over food and drinks.

Today, visitors can still ride the yakatabune, especially from popular boarding points like Odaiba. These boats retain the look and ambiance of their historical counterparts but are updated with modern amenities. 

Cruises typically include a multi-course dinner featuring traditional Japanese dishes like tempura, sushi or teishoku. As you dine, the boat glides past Tokyo sights such as Tokyo Tower and Odaiba’s skyline, beautifully illuminated against the night sky.

Read more: Best Scenic Cruises in Tokyo

If you’re more interested in scenic views than dining on a luxury boat, the Tokyo Cruise company offers a water bus service called the “suijo basu.” These utilitarian, futuristic-looking boats feature 360-degree window panels, allowing passengers to view the Tokyo Bay while being sheltered from the sea breeze. The water bus route passes famous landmarks such as Tokyo Skytree, Hamarikyu Garden and Rainbow Bridge.

Originally designed as a water transportation alternative to trains and subways, the water bus connects key locations along Tokyo Bay, with routes running along the  Sumida River. You can take a water bus from Asakusa to Odaiba or hop on at Hinode Pier for a shorter ride, arriving at Odaiba Marine Park just in time to watch the sunset reflected on the tranquil Tokyo Bay waters.

Read more: Romantic Food Tours and Experiences in Japan

Within Odaiba Marine Park, right in front of Aqua City Mall, stands a smaller replica of New York City's bronze-clad Statue of Liberty. The statue, initially set up in 1998 as a temporary tribute to the friendship between Japan and France, gained such popularity that it was made a permanent fixture in 2000.

The Odaiba Statue of Liberty is 12.25 meters tall — about one-fifth the height of the original — but it’s positioned so thoughtfully in front of the Rainbow Bridge that the statue appears almost life-sized in photos, with the bridge as a dramatic backdrop.

For a closer view, follow the staircase up to the Skywalk Observation Deck, where you can take in the statue against the sweeping panorama of Tokyo Bay. During spring, cherry blossoms planted on the statue base draw even more visitors to the site. 

Ready to moonwalk with Michael Jackson, have breakfast with Audrey Hepburn at Tiffany’s, or strike a red-carpet pose with Benedict Cumberbatch?  The world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, known for its ultra-realistic (and sometimes uncanny valley) recreations of cultural idols, has its Tokyo outpost located near Odaiba Marine Park and Tokyo Joypolis.

With a collection of 70 life-sized figures, the museum showcases a mix of Japanese celebrities and athletes, like Olympic ice skater Yuzuru Hanyu, alongside global A-list stars. To skip the queues, purchase your tickets in advance.

The Fuji Broadcasting Center is an architectural, 27-story marvel consisting of two massive structures connected by a web of enclosed corridors, with a striking titanium sphere suspended between them. This sphere, which weighs 1,300 tons and looks like a UFO, houses the Hachitama Observatory.

Visible from the Yurikamome train ride to Odaiba, the observatory is just as stunning from the inside as it is from the outside. With a small admission fee, visitors can head to the 25th floor and enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji.

The building itself was designed by the architect Tange Kenzo and completed in 1996, becoming another groundbreaking addition to the Odaiba waterfront area. The 27-story structure houses studios and offices, with parts open to the public to exhibits and props from popular TV shows produced by Fuji Television.

Standing an impressive 19.7 meters tall, the Unicorn Gundam Statue in Odaiba attracts Gundam fans worldwide. Located at the Festival Plaza on the second floor of DiverCity, this statue is not the first to grace Odaiba. 

The original RX-78-2 Gundam Statue was introduced in 2009 to celebrate Mobile Suit Gundam’s 30th anniversary, and it was later replaced by the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, which features a transformation feature.

The statue switches between its default "Unicorn Mode" and the illuminated "Destroy Mode" during scheduled shows at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm. The transformation lasts about 10 seconds, so be ready to capture the moment. After sunset, a 30-minute sound and light show continues the spectacle, with scenes from the anime projected onto a screen behind the statue.

There is also a cafe and a shop with Gundam-themed items inside the mall.

After enjoying the ocean views and Gundam transformations, head over to Aqua City Odaiba, a sprawling shopping and entertainment complex located next to Odaiba Marine Park. This location is home to over 120 stores, featuring a sea-themed entertainment zone, a cinema, a ramen-themed food court and an anime merchandise shop.

Visit the roof of the main building, where you’ll find a barbecue area alongside an actual Shinto shrine.

Japan's largest indoor theme park, Tokyo Joypolis, is managed by giant video game company SEGA and offers over 20 attractions, including virtual reality rides, video games, an indoor roller coaster and simulators. 

Many of the rides are themed around famous Japanese anime and artists, making them popular among otaku and anime fans. An all-inclusive Tokyo Joypolis ticket grants access to all rides and games, including its VR and 3D attractions.

Like weird ice cream flavors, Japan is home to some quirky and seemingly random museums that may leave you wondering how they made it past the proposal phase — but somehow, they work. Odaiba, in particular, is home to a few of these spots.

For something scientific, visit the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), which offers fascinating exhibits on cutting-edge technology and space exploration.

For something unconventional, head to the Takoyaki Museum — despite the name, it’s not a museum about octopus-filled balls but a food court with five takoyaki restaurants. Also check out the Tokyo Trick Art Museum on the fourth floor of Decks Tokyo Beach for some mind-bending optical illusions.

And for something truly unusual, head to the Unko Museum, a playful and unapologetically bizarre exhibit that turns human waste into soft-serve ice cream-shaped art and kawaii (cute) icons — because why not? 

Sitting beyond Aqua City Odaiba and Fuji Television headquarters, the Odaiba Marine Park boasts some of the city's best views and just about everything quintessentially “Odaiba.”

The park features a scenic stretch of elevated pathways and promenades along a half-mile-long manmade beach. While swimming is prohibited, visitors can enjoy windsurfing and other water sports, plus a 5-kilometer jogging course and a boardwalk leading to the rocky shore.

The best time to visit is around sunset, as the red glow from floating yakatabune boat lanterns light up the bay area, and the Rainbow Bridge sparkles with a spectrum of colors. Nearby, you can spot the Daikanransha Ferris wheel, one of the tallest in the world at 115 meters.

Yes, Odaiba is worth visiting for its futuristic architecture, seaside scenic views, shopping and unique attractions like the Unicorn Gundam Statue, museums and Fuji TV headquarters.

Odaiba is famous for its modern waterfront, entertainment complexes and iconic landmarks, such as the Unicorn Gundam Statue and Fuji TV headquarters.

Depending on your interests, you’ll need about half a day to a full day to explore the main attractions.

Odaiba Marine Park is free to visit, though some nearby attractions may charge entry fees.

To get to Odaiba, take the Yurikamome Line to Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station or the Rinkai Line to Tokyo Teleport Station.