[Japan trip] I love ODAIBA!

On my recent trip to Japan, Tokyo, one of my favorite places was Odaiba! It's a large artificial man made island located in Tokyo Bay. Back during the Tokugawa Shogunate era, this island was made due to the arrival of the Americans as a form of defense, but today, it is an island of recreation and shopping akin to that of Sentosa!

Although it was quite a distance away from where we stayed (Shinjuku), as well as the transportation being slightly pricey, imho it was worth it! The amount of money and effort spent to get there was very worthwhile. Odaiba is so beautiful beyond words, and it is like a paradise to me!

To get there, we took the Tokyo Metro train to Shimbashi, then transferred over to the Yurikamome Line, which is an automated transit train controlled purely by a computer system. Think our very own Bukit Panjang LRT!

This driverless monorail brought us across the Tokyo Bay via over the Rainbow Bridge, and we alighted at Daiba Station. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge itself was a treat, as the view of Tokyo Bay was fantastic. I still feel a smile of contentment come across my face when I reminisce about the memory.

Diver City Plaza is a shopping mall that opened in April 2012, and it is one of the foremost spots among the locals and tourists.

 We were greeted by an enormous full-scale Gundam replica that is situated outside the Diver City Plaza.

This Gundam Statue was amazingly detailed and even all the decals were wonderfully done and colorful.

 

 

Apart from the statue, there is a Gundam Cafe too. This cafe and shop is the official Gundam souvenior and cafe shop licensed by the makers of Gundam! So, if you are a very hardcore Gundam fan, you have to come here!

I took some random selfies before entering the cafe for some refreshments...

The Gundam Moulded Cream Waffle tasted so good... Oishi ne!

Apart from food and beverage, you can find Gundam's premiums and merchandises in the cafe too...

The headquarters of Fuji TV is also located in Odaiba, with a futuristic metallic building that features a huge silver ball which is 32 metres in diameter! you will never miss it!

This striking building was designed by Japanese Architect, Kenzo Tange, and it took 3 years to finish the whole building which is fully earthquake-proof.

Say hello to the Fuji TV Mascot, Laugh-Kun. He first appeared on the successful Warau-Inu (Laughing Dog) Variety Show that aired on Fuji TV during 1998 – 2003.

It is a MUST for me to take photo with him as it brings some cuteness to Fuji TV Building.

 The famous manga/anime 'One Piece' has a restaurant here named BARATIE!! It is located on the 7th floor of the Fuji TV building, and it a decent anime-themed restauraunt, albeit slightly pricey.

We ordered 2 drinks and a snack to share between us. The snack that we ordered was actually Chicken Nuggets and Fries, and it was served in a Treasure Chest Box. Aww… Kawaii ne!

Before we left the restaurant, we brought back the One Piece flags with us for keepsake/mementos.

Odaiba is a MUST-VISIT place when visiting Tokyo. It was such a pity that we did not spend our entire whole day at Odaiba, as we planned for some nightlife at Roppongi. I will definitely come back to visit again and stay the whole day the next time in Odaiba and visit the other unfinished attractions in this beautiful island. 



Courtesy from Google search