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Odaiba, or how it is usually called Daiba, is a Utopia, the
town of future as the Japanese see it. The name of the district
originates from the batteries built in the 19th century to
protect the city from the invasion of the Black Ships (Western
ships that attacked Tokyo at the end of Edo period). "Daiba"
is a Japanese word that means batteries. By the end of the
20th century, only two from six batteries (the third and the
sixth) had been maintained. In the middle of the 1980s, the
district was in awful condition - a huge deserted dump area.
In the beginning of the 90s, the municipal government noticed
at last the misallocation of the valuable ground and decided
to turn it into gigantic recreation center. In a few years,
on the manmade embankment the new town has appeared where
the most innovative ideas and the boldest projects have been
fulfilled. On the territory wrested from the sea modern business
and commercial centers, large-scale show rooms, huge sport
buildings and recreation centers have been built.
The center of the district is Palette Town where the main
attractions of Odaiba are located: Venus Fort, Mega Web, Aqua
City and others. You can easily find Palette Town because
of the world's biggest Ferris wheel towering over it. It is
one hundred and fifteen meters high. There are always a lot
of tourists who want to admire the bird's-eye view of the
city. At night when the Ferris wheel is artistically illuminated
it turns into one of the most popular dating places.
Futuristic Fuji TV building designed by fashionable Japanese
architect Kenzo Tange is one of the main landmarks in Odaiba.
On the 25th floor, there is an excellent observation gallery
in the form of gigantic glass glob, from where the breathtaking
panorama of Tokyo and the gulf opens. Guests can also visit
a real TV studio and take a picture with the mascot of Fuji
Company - Rafu-kun.
Venus Fort is a "town in town", built specially
for women. From the outside it looks rather dejectedly - it
reminds of a military hangar for airplanes, but inside it
is a modern shopping center, exquisitely decorated in Italian
style. Marble fountains, paved streets, arched galleries -
everything for you to relax, imagine yourself in some 18th
century Italian town, town of your dreams, and forget about
the reality. There even sun sets every two hours because psychologists
affirm that people are more disposed to waste money in the
night-time. About 150 fashionable shops are waiting for their
customers and always glad to offer the ultimate collection
of famous designers all over the world.
Mega Web is a huge Toyota Company's show-room, where the newest
achievements in engineering as well as the models of the 50-70s
provoking nostalgia for old good times are displayed. There
you can drive any car you like in a special pavilion that
stretches for 1,4 km. In addition, you can experience automatic
driving in a small electric vehicle that is the ultimate model
of Toyota Company. Who knows maybe it is a vehicle of the
future. You can also visit an open design studio and watch
the professional design work with your own eyes. Those who
want to try hand at car engineering can make a project of
a new model in a special design work shop.
In the Aqua City there are around 150 restaurants and cafes,
considered to be simply the best in Tokyo, and the largest
in Japan shopping mall. The ultramodern cinema Multiplex with
13 screens is equipped with the state-of-the-art video- and
audio technologies. It reminds of a gigantic stadium and can
accommodate more than 3,000 visitors at once.
Sega Joypolis is a gamers' paradise featuring the latest titles
from Virtual gaming, modern equipment, and multi-level game
center offering the high-level services. You just won't find
anything of this kind somewhere else in Japan.
If you are more interested in spending a day in natural picturesque
surrounding than exploring ultimate technologies, Odaiba offers
you the Shiokaze Koen (Sea Breeze Park). You can not only
walk around the largest park in the district but also organize
a wonderful picnic there. You can rent tables and special
equipment for barbecue and set a feast in the open air.
Pedestrian streets are located at the second floor level.
So you don't have to think about ubiquitous cars. Here you
will have a good time and enjoy the view.
Besides the sights mentioned Odaiba has many other attractions
to offer and is tailored to fit the interests of everyone.
All types of people visit the town of entertainments every
day - from couples, looking for romantic places for an unforgettable
date, to families with children who come from different parts
of Japan to rest and have fun.
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