Odaiba occupies reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, where historic coastal defenses now meet modern leisure buildings and waterfront views. The island’s transformation from battery position to entertainment district mirrors Tokyo’s changing relationship with its harbor.
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The open view across Tokyo Bay can make Odaiba feel like a new city built from scratch, but the word “Daiba” points to an older defensive role. In the 1850s, the Tokugawa government built coastal battery islands to protect Edo Bay after the arrival of foreign ships.
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UpgradeQuick facts
- The name Odaiba comes from the coastal battery islands built in the 1850s.
- Modern Odaiba was developed on reclaimed land.
- The district includes waterfront promenades, shopping, and cultural venues.
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