Take a couple of hours out to unwind with a visit to Odaiba Beach Park, a sandy waterside haven on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay.
Stroll along the beach, which extends for approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers). Look up at the small-scale replica of the Statue of Liberty, which commemorates the friendship between Japan and France. It is approximately seven times smaller than the original.
Roll out your towel on the sand or a grassy area and enjoy views across the water to the city. You’ll easily be able to make out Tokyo Tower, the Fuji Television Building and the Rainbow Bridge, which connects mainland Tokyo with the island. The suspension bridge is so called because it is illuminated in rainbow colors in December and January.
Challenge friends to a volleyball match then try some watersports such as windsurfing, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Swimming in the sea is not permitted because of the poor water quality.
Enjoy a picnic on the sand or go over to the Marine House and waterbus waiting area for the restaurants and shops.
While you are on Odaiba Island, visit attractions near the beach, including shopping malls and Daikanransha, a 377-feet (115-meter) high Ferris wheel.
Come back to the park in the evening to watch the city skyline light up across the water. Good vantage points are the promenade and the upper floors of Marine House.
If you are in Tokyo during July, celebrate the Marine Day Lantern Festival at the park. Marine Day is a Japanese national holiday that is held on the third Monday of July. The Odaiba event’s main highlight is the lighting of paper lanterns that cover the beach.
Odaiba Beach Park is located on Odaiba in Tokyo Bay. To get here from the mainland, drive, use public transportation or walk across the Rainbow Bridge. If you’re in a rental car, pay the fee to park in the lot. Alternatively, arrive by water bus. Facilities at the beach park include toilets, baby nursing rooms and Wi-Fi. Showers are available for a fee in the Marine House.
