Have you ever wondered where tour guides spend their time in Tokyo when they have a chance to unwind?
The government's recent "Go To travel" campaign gave us the opportunity to have a rather nice staycation in Odaiba. I have frequently taken guests there for marvelous views of the Tokyo skyline and the many varied activities (particularly, museums and shopping!) on Odaiba itself.
Lady Liberty in Odaiba
1. Why Odaiba?
It's a very popular futuristic-themed area. Would you believe that it’s a man-made island? Other parts of Tokyo can be more frenetic. I wanted to relax in Odaiba’s resort atmosphere and soak in the stunning views of the Tokyo skyline and Tokyo Bay. It's like being in a completely different world! Although I have briefly shown guests the night view, I haven’t immersed myself in the Odaiba night atmosphere. The lighting is spectacular!
2. Why the luxury accommodations?
The huge government subsidies enable locals to treat themselves. We stayed at the executive floor of a luxury hotel. I took full advantage of the amenities! Our room was on the top floor with a panoramic view of Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo SkyTree, Tokyo Tower, and Mt. Fuji. The view alone was well worth the stay! The executive floor comes with free access to the executive lounge. They serve breakfast and refreshments throughout the day, including alcoholic drinks. My husband and I loved the VIP treatment! We were welcomed with a nice cup of coffee and cakes at the executive lounge. This is the life!
３．The view was stunning!
This was the view we had over dinner and drinks. It was the perfect way to unwind after shopping at a nearby mall.
We were pleasantly surprised by the fireworks display over dinner! Lucky us! Odaiba has regular fireworks displays. The dates are secret (surprise) to prevent crowds from flocking to the area. The staff kindly accommodated my request to put a sweet message in my husband’s dessert. It was for our approaching wedding anniversary. It was truly a memorable night!
4. Tuna Auction
Toyosu Market is just a 5-minute taxi ride from Odaiba. Auctions are held from 5:00 to 6:30AM. Guests observe auctions from behind huge glass windows. It was my 1st time there myself, yet another reason why I chose Odaiba. The lively atmosphere of the traditional auction was exhilarating! The air was filled with the sound of the auction--the bell, the auctioneer hawking the fish, and the participants. It was fascinating to see the auctions go at such a fast pace!
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A 10-minute ride on the self-driven train gives us a wonderful view of Odaiba. We enjoyed a nice buffet breakfast at the lounge before heading home.
Check out my Odaiba tour page for pics of other attractions in the area. The most popular is TeamLab, a digital art museum. It’s a must-see for first-timers.
Odaiba & Toyosu market - Half Day, 4hrs - Daytime or Evening - Tokyo Private Tours | GoWithGuide
Hope to see you in Tokyo! Stay safe everyone! Oct. 2020.
