Visiting Odaiba for the first time

Visiting Odaiba for the first time

Also, I didn’t give you the precise instructions on Odaiba, so here
they are for future reference. Some notes:
- This journey MUST be undertaken after dusk, preferably at night.
Around 7-8pm is a good time.
- NO DEVIATION IS ALLOWED

Right. Odaiba is a reclaimed island in the middle of Tokyo Bay. And
here’s what you do!

Go to Shinbashi station with the JR line. From there, get on the
Yurikamome automated transit. Make sure to sit in the front seat! If
the first train is full, take the second. Gasp in amazement as the
train snakes through the dark skyscrapers, with only the occasional
lift’s lights visible. To your right is the Ghibli TV studios,
complete with ornate wooden clock.

As the train continues its journey, you pass next to the docks, as
Rainbow Bridge comes visible ahead. The train approaches the bridge,
then takes a large helix ramp up into the middle of the bridge,
crossing Tokyo Bay and entering Odaiba. Leave the train at Daiba
station (which is after Odaiba Kaihin Koen). From here walk towards
the large shopping complex. You can get a great view of the bridge and
Tokyo bay here, as well as a replica of the statue of liberty. This is
also where the life-size Gundam was (I think it might be coming back
soon?)

You may dine in Aqua City – my favourite place here is the Royal Host,
but there’s a great burger joint and a fantastically silly
pirate-themed restaurant too. Continue walking inside or outside Aqua
City until you get to Odaiba Decks. This is a shopping centre shaped
like a ship, and houses Sega Joypolis. I’ve never been, apparently
it’s not that great. But what is great is just inside Decks, on the
2nd floor is an old timey Japanese shopping district, themed like
1930s rural Japan. The building opposite also has a Hong Kong/Kowloon
themed floor in much the same style.

Opposite Decks is the Fuji TV building, which you may remember from
such shows as “Adam and Joe Go Tokyo”. Once you are done here, walk
out of Decks and towards the Odaiba Kaihin Koen station, but don’t
enter it – instead take the bridge under it, and proceed to walk over
the expressway towards the colourful ferris wheel. This is Palette
Town, which hosts a futuristic Toyota showroom (called MegaWeb for
some reason). You can walk to the ferris wheel for a huge arcade.
Otherwise, head right into Venus Fort. This is a shopping centre aimed
at women, but it is remarkable for being themed like Venice at night.
Especially at Christmas, when they have music and light shows at the
fountain. When you are all finished, you can head out, turn right, and
Aomi station is right there, ready to take you back to Shinbashi.

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2017 Update:
I believe the Royal Host in Aqua City has closed. If it's early enough or
on a second visit I would recommend heading right out of Daiba station
towards Diver City, another big shopping centre with a good food court,
great arcade, and... a giant Gundam right outside. It's so bloody cool.