Odaiba

Transportation	Take the Yurikamome train line to Daiba Station.
Admission	Free to access the area (Activities will vary in cost)
Website	www.jnto.go.jp

Originally built as a series of fortresses to defend Tokyo from sea attacks, the Odaiba area was redeveloped in the 1990s into a popular entertainment and shopping district. As you approach the area you’ll most likely first notice the Fuji TV Building, the headquarters of one of Japan’s national TV networks. There’s a futuristic observatory deck (costs 500 yen) that provides a great view of the area and an excellent vantage point for photos (open from 10am to 8pm; closed on Mondays). If you’re more into shopping, check out either Aquacity or Decks Tokyo Beach, which has more boutiques and cafes than mainstream shops, as well as a massive arcade center for teens called Tokyo Joypolis. There are also plenty of nearby museums, including the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (500 yen) and the Museum of Maritime Science (700 yen), which is housed on a floating cruise ship. Check with a local information booth attendant for a full list of shopping centers and available activities (and be sure to ask which buildings will be open on the day of your visit, as some are closed on Mondays).