The 918-metre-long suspended Rainbow Bridge connects the futuristic leisure town of Odaiba with Tokyo’s waterfront, spanning Tokyo Bay beneath it. The bridge gets its name from the beautiful rainbow-coloured lighting that illuminates its structure in the evenings, making it one of Tokyo’s most iconic and visually striking landmarks. During the daytime, the bridge appears a soft white, designed to blend harmoniously with the city skyline. At night, solar energy powers its vibrant rainbow-coloured lighting system.
Opened in 1993 after nearly seven years of construction, the Rainbow Bridge features two decks that span its entire length.
- The upper deck carries an expressway.
- The lower deck accommodates a regular road, the fully automated, driverless Yurikamome Line railway, and a pedestrian walkway.
The walking path across the bridge is a popular attraction, offering stunning panoramic views of Odaiba’s futuristic architecture and the Tokyo city skyline. The walk takes about 30 minutes, with several rest stops and vending machines along the way for refreshments.
Getting to Odaiba via the Rainbow Bridge
The Yurikamome Line is the most exciting way to experience the Rainbow Bridge. The train departs from near the Shiodome Exit of JR Shimbashi Station, offering a thrilling rail journey across the bridge with spectacular views of the bay and cityscape.
Alternatively, an enjoyable boat ride called the Water Bus provides a unique perspective of the bridge. The ferry passes underneath the Rainbow Bridge, allowing passengers to admire its towering structure, with the roadway 52 metres above and the tops of the suspension towers 126 metres above the water. The Water Bus departs from Hinode Pier on the Tokyo side of the bridge and docks near the Fuji Television Building in Odaiba.
Best Photo Spots
The Rainbow Bridge is a fantastic photo opportunity, particularly at dusk, when Tokyo’s skyline lights up against the hazy evening sky. One of the best spots for a memorable photo is from Palette Town, where you can frame the bridge with Tokyo’s own Statue of Liberty in the foreground.
Interestingly, this Statue of Liberty is a replica of a replica! In 1998, France loaned Japan a replica of the Statue of Liberty, which was so well-received that a public campaign successfully led to a permanent replica being installed. Today, it is a beloved symbol of Odaiba.
