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Japan (Day 7) – Marunouchi, Sony Building & Odaiba [Video]

This was the last full day I had in Tokyo. The following morning I would be leaving for Kyoto! So, armed with Beni’s pro semi-SLR camera, we spent the day doing some final sightseeing.

Our first stop was Marunouchi, an area marked by tall skyscrapers. This is the commercial district of Tokyo, home to the headquarters of the three largest banks in Japan.

We arrived at Tokyo Station, the main intercity rail terminal in Tokyo. (I would be here again the following morning to take the bullet train to Kyoto.) the station is a landmark building in itself, with the renaissance style redbrick architecture lending it a classic look. It was originally built in 1914 but the current building was reconstructed in 1947.

Tokyo Station

In the pictures above, does anyone else think that the building behind look as though it’s not really there? I did a double take when I saw that! The building was so faint it looked almost translucent!

Tokyo Central Post Office

Tokyo central post office, a building that looks really aged.

Marunouchi Building

Marunouchi building. Built in 1923, it sits atop the most expensive real estate in Japan, with a land value of ¥21 million per square meter! That’s more than a quarter of a million Singapore dollars PER SQUARE METER!

Beams department store at Marunouchi Building

Beams department store on the ground floor.

Tokyo International Forum

Tokyo international forum with its futuristic glass atrium. This is a venue for exhibitions and concerts, the equivalent of Singapore expo or Esplanade theatre. Back in day 3, we had drinks at a couple of pubs at the building next to it.

Hello Kitty bus

We spotted a Hello Kitty bus too!

The expensive shopping district Ginza (visited in day 3) and Marunouchi are within the same vicinity. It is in Ginza where our second stop, the Sony building is situated. Being geeks, we were excited to check out the showrooms in there — all 11 floors of them! There are also a few shops, restaurants and cafés scattered throughout the building.

Sony building in Ginza, Tokyo

For a building that is showcasing the latest technology, its exterior sure doesn’t look impressive!

Hi-Vision Lounge in Sony building

Sony DVD recorder

Over here, visitors can get a hands-on of the latest Sony gadgets.

Video camera testing in Sony building

A variety of brightly-coloured objects are placed next to all the video camcorders and cameras.

Vespa model

People may test the cameras by shooting these objects.

Sony Blu-ray disc player

Sony portable desktop computers

We spent some time playing with all the gadgets here. I think my next compact digital camera might just be a Sony one! My current camera has been with me for more than 2 years and it’s time for an upgrade.

Viron café

Viron, a café chain. Beni remarked that its name is just a letter away from mine.

Back on the subway, we made our way to our third and final destination for the day — Odaiba. I noticed that certain subway stations had “women only” overhead signs. The information poster below shows why.

Women-only cars on trains in Tokyo

Interestingly, trains on the keio line had women-only cars at certain times of the day. How nice!

A fitting place to spend a last night in Tokyo would be in Odaiba, a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay. It was originally constructed in 1853 as a series of fortresses for protection against attacks from the sea. Today, it is a popular multi-entertainment district.

Decks Tokyo Beach

The train service that serves Odaiba is the Yurikamome line. Fares on this route may be more expensive, but riding on it provides passengers with great waterfront views of Tokyo Bay. Trains on this line are unmanned and fully computerised.

To my surprise, at one point the train actually makes a roundabout to run on the Rainbow Bridge itself! Here’s a shoddy video of the Rainbow Bridge taken from within the train.

Youtube link

After alighting from the train, we made our way to decks Tokyo beach shopping mall.

Cute car at Little Hong Kong, Decks Tokyo Beach in Odaiba, Tokyo

Tropical beach theme at Little Hong Kong, Decks Tokyo Beach in Odaiba, Tokyo

Decks is a large shopping and entertainment complex with a tropical beach theme. And for good reason too. A wooden deck occupies the entire length of the sea-facing side of the building as well as the adjacent aquacity shopping mall. People can walk along the deck and enjoy a great view of the sea.

Decks Tokyo Beach

It was over here where we got to take in the beautiful view of the Rainbow Bridge!

Rainbow Bridge connecting Odaiba to the Tokyo waterfront

This 570 metre long suspension bridge connects Odaiba to the Tokyo waterfront. During the day, the bridge is a gorgeous white colour. At night, it illuminates in three different colours — red, white and green.

Rainbow Bridge connecting Odaiba to the Tokyo waterfront

The magnificent Tokyo tower (visited in day 4) is visible too.

Portrait artist at Decks Tokyo Beach

A street artist drawing portraits for sale.

And now here’s something we didn’t quite expect…

Statue of Liberty replica in Odaiba, Tokyo, overlooking the Rainbow Bridge

A statue of liberty replica! We had absolutely no idea it was there so it came as a total surprise! Now I feel as though I have visited New York city!

Café at Decks Tokyo Beach

Along the deck are several restaurants and cafés where people can dine while enjoying the sea view.

Decks Tokyo Beach

We stopped by longboard café for yummy, yummy, hot and spicy nachos.

Spicy nachos

I think that’s the first time I managed to have chilli of any kind in Tokyo!

Longboard Café at Decks Tokyo Beach

This whole place had a californian beach theme.

Longboard Café at Decks

Cute indoor gas station.

Longboard Café at Decks

Have you ever seen such pretty toothpicks?

Pretty toothpicks

More sightseeing after our little break! Odaiba is a great place for that.

Fuji TV Headquarters in Odaiba, Tokyo

Here’s the highly futuristic, yet somewhat bizarre-looking fuji TV headquarters that sits just behind decks and aquacity.

Giant ferris wheel at Palette Town in Odaiba, Tokyo

We could also see the giant ferris wheel at palette town in the distance. It stands at a massive 115 metres and is one of the world’s largest ferris wheels. As it turns, it lights up in a series of colourful patterns as seen in the following video.

Youtube link

We were contemplating whether to take a ride on the ferris wheel. We didn’t because it was getting really late! It was just as well; I found out much later that the rides had already stopped for the day.

Smiley drink can from Suntory

One last drink before we call it a night. This time I had healthy, healthy orange juice instead of the usual beer. I got it only because the drink can looked so cheerful and appealing!

Next stop: Kyoto!

Tags: Sony, Tokyo

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

Japan (Day 6) – Sanrio Puroland (Home of Hello Kitty!)

Japan (Day 8) – Kyoto, Part 1 [Video]

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Responses Leave a comment

pkchukiss
82 comments

That can looks cute, like the Qoo we have in Singapore. Isn’t it any wonder that Japan defines the Kawaii-ness standard for the world?
Reply
Posted August 29, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Ken
20 comments

I went to the same place and there was a new Marounochi building opening that day, but it looks like you didn’t go there. If that is the case, you didn’t miss much. It was just an upscale building w/expensive clothing, grocery stores, and restaurants.
I did not see the Sony building though! I thought that particular area had nothing to see. All we saw was the Emperor’s castle? (I forgot what it’s called but it is something like that).
Funny how different tourists see different things in the same city.
I don’t see a picture explaining why there were women-only cars, but I think I understand. I saw an arcade in Asakusa, I think, where it was for women only, or at least women and their boyfriends/husbands/etc. and I could not figure out why until I came home and read someone’s blog.
Is it because of perverts?
Also, I got that orange drink too, because I thought it was kawaii. I wanted to try every drink in those vending machines.
I missed the Rainbow Bridge as well as Tokyo Tower! My gf and I were only there for about 4 days, so it was tough seeing everything anyway.
But thanks for sharing; it’s almost like I was there too!
I’m looking forward to your Kyoto post, especially since I may go there next year.
Japan is awesome!
Reply
Posted August 29, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Beni
30 comments

*sigh*
To think that I’d have to move from such a beautiful city…
Know what Veron, if it weren’t for you, probably I wouldn’t have seen Tokyo the way we did together. Glad that I could show you around. Rather, show us around :)
Reply
Posted August 29, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Veron
3439 comments

pkchukiss: You’re right! I got that drink solely because it looked kawaii!
Ken: A new Marunouchi Building? Like a replacement for the existing one? Whatever do they need another one for?
And hey, we wanted to go to the Imperial Palace but ran out of time! Actually, we had time for just one of these — either the palace or the Sony building. And we opted for Sony. Haha what geeks we were!
As for the women-only cars, I can only imagine it’s because of perverts! The effective timings as specified on the poster are also the morning and evening rush hours, when people are packed like sardines on the subway trains.
Please do pay a visit to the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower the next time round! In my opinion these are two of the must-visits in Tokyo! Very worthwhile.
Beni: Awww… Admit it. I’m an awesome travel buddy.
Reply
Posted August 29, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Ken
20 comments

Veron, the new Maronouchi building is called Shin Maronouchi. It was one block from the old/existing one, if I recall correctly.
Like I said before, you didn’t miss much and I’m sure the Sony building was a lot more fun. I’m a huge gadget/geek myself, so I would’ve been in love there. :)
Reply
Posted August 29, 2007 at 11:33 pm
py
183 comments

I like the renaissance style redbrick building. There are some nice architecture around in Japan. If there is an architecture tour, I would join that if I were in Japan. I would do so too if there is one in Singapore that I know of.
Reply
Posted August 30, 2007 at 12:07 am
Beni
30 comments

Psst… Whatever happened to the “help” with the Disneyland route? ;)
Tehehehe… I can’t forget the kick you got out of that one!
Reply
Posted August 30, 2007 at 3:07 am
Aristocrat
12 comments

hello dear, sorry i’ve been busy but thanks for keeping a lookout. one day i shall make a pilgrimage myself and couchsurf around japan =)
of course you’ll see suntory around everywhere; it’s one of the biggest (if not the one) liquor and spirits distributor in japan. suntory whisky. haha.
hope life back here will be as joyful as your trip…
Reply
Posted August 30, 2007 at 3:58 am
Aristocrat
12 comments

btw the reason for the existence of the women’s only carriage is because (like how ken has put it) of the outrage of modesty that’s quite prevalent in japan. silence is usually the norm when it happens.
& u didn’t go to akiba, did you? ha..
Reply
Posted August 30, 2007 at 4:04 am
Veron
3439 comments

Ken: Shin Marunouchi. I should have guessed. Shin = New!
py: I noticed some rather unique and futuristic architecture in Tokyo. They looked really interesting and were unlike any of the buildings we have here.
Beni: lol I still laugh whenever I recall that incident! Thanks for the memory dude. I should post the clip here or something.
Aristocrat: Nope didn’t go to Akiba. That’s the manga/hentai/porn area?
Reply
Posted August 31, 2007 at 12:14 am
- Bruno
  1 comment
  
  Correct me if I am wrong, but the Marunouchi Building and Shin (new) Marunouchi Building are two different buildings. The area is being redeveloped, and they are both new incarnations of older buildings. I think there is the new (6 or 7 years?) Marunouchi Building and the new (4 or 5 years?) New Marunouchi Building. Are you confused?
  Reply
  Posted February 7, 2010 at 5:15 am
  - Veron
    3439 comments
    
    That took me a little while to digest. So there are actually… 4 different Marunouchi buildings in history? My head hurts.
    Reply
    Posted February 7, 2010 at 11:19 pm
py
183 comments

Looks like Japan is a good place to enjoy some air of creativity?
Reply
Posted September 2, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Aristocrat
12 comments

Oui. But not as bad as you make it out to be; hentai/porn area?! Nono, I do not think you need to travel to Akiba for porn. I’m sure it’s quite prevalent everywhere. More of a manga/anime paradise I guess.
Reply
Posted September 6, 2007 at 8:38 pm
mikey
9 comments

I really love your blog me and my sister love reading it, you put it as if we are there with you, great job.
Reply
Posted December 25, 2008 at 1:37 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Really happy to hear that :) Blogging about the trip kinda helps me relive the memories too.
  Reply
  Posted December 27, 2008 at 12:23 pm