Today, my wife and I went to お台場 (Odaiba, Tokyo).
お台場 (Odaiba) is a man-made island in Tokyo Bay that is most famous for the beautiful view that it offers of Tokyo’s skyline, the driverless train that connects the island to the downtown Tokyo, the shopping centers, the ferris wheel, the unique Fuji TV‘s headquarters, and the 自由の女神像 (Statue Of Liberty) there.
Fuji TV head-quarters
「自由の女神像」 (Statue Of Liberty) at Odaiba
Also, in お台場 (Odaiba) is the “Himiko” Tokyo Cruise boat that looks like a spaceship.
It was designed by the famous anime artist 松本零士 (Leiji Matsumoto).
"Himiko" Waterbus ship
My wife and I bought some 持ち帰り (take-out) 牛丼 (rice and beef) from the “Yoshinoya” Japanese ‘fast-food’ restaurant and a couple beers from a convenience store and had lunch near the “Himiko” ship.
From there, we went to the nearby 潮風公園 (Shiokaze Park).
This park is popular for family barbeques (BBQ). You don’t even need to bring anything to have a BBQ there…you can rent everything you need: utensils, plates, charcoal*, and even the food* (*the charcoal and food are sold…not rented, of course).
The reason that we went to this park today was because they have displayed an “actual size” 「ガンダム」 (Gundam) robot! It stands 18 meters (59 feet) high!
This 「ガンダム」 (Gundam) robot is on display in Odaiba until August 31 in honor of the 「ガンダム」 (Gundam) anime series’ 30th anniversary. (The anime debuted in 1979).
When we went there today they were still working on the “actual-size” robot, but it looked about finished.
Here are some of the photos I took:
Also, last year at 上井草駅 (Kami-Igusa train station) in Tokyo (not far from 新宿 (Shinjuku, Tokyo). there is a brass statue about three meters tall of the same 「ガンダム」 (Gundam) robot.
The reason this statue was built there is because the anime studio that draws 「ガンダム」 (Gundam) has their headquarters there in 上井草 (Kami-Igusa).
「ガンダム」 ("Gundam") statue in front of 上井草駅 (Kami-Igusa Stn).
Tokyo Five 
If you like Gundam, there will be a Gundam Expo on 2009 August 21-23 at the Tokyo Big Sight.
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@tokyo5
Hey. Thanks for commenting and visiting my blog.
Great pictures!
Life must be great for you living in Japan. I always wanted to go to Akahibara, Shinjuku and Tokyo. Sadly, i’m stuck here in Singapore with school.
I just hope i’ll be able to live and work in Japan in the future. Maybe get a japanese wife while I’m at it. Haha
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Thanks.
Yes, you should visit Japan if you get a chance!
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great pictures especially the gundam ones
I so wish I could see the life-sized one in person
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Thanks.
You’ll have to come to Tokyo by August 31 to see that giant Gundam.
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WHOA A BIG GUNDAM STATUE!! Hmmm lets hope Sgt Keroro doesnt see that ^_~ I bet in the evening watching the Gundam statue in action would be absolutely spectacular.
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>I bet in the evening watching the Gundam statue in action would be absolutely spectacular.
Yeah, we may go back to see it at night.
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I look forward to see the photos posted on your blog.
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I went to see Gundam with some friends, none of us are fans, but it was incredible! We went at the end of July but a couple of weeks later when my son went to see him the decal/painting on his left shoulder had already been changed to the Tokyo Olympic mark. Also, the 当日(that-day) all day passes for the Yurikamome with the Gundam pic was sold out! We saw him move his head and son saw him look up. lol Even for those who aren’t fans, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!
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>it was incredible!
Yes, it is. Too bad they’re not gonna keep it there permanently!
You don’t have to be a Gundam fan to appreciate this giant robot!
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Wowww,..
How Big it is….
That’s Amazing…
I Like it..
Best regards from Bocahbancar… 🙂
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Yes, really big.
It was pretty cool.
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This week, lots of bloggers and YouTube videos in Japan featured this giant Gundam. We’ll have to go there one of these days before the summer is over to see this cool attraction in person.
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I guess your son will like it…especially if you go in the evening when it lights up and moves!
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Where in Odaiba is the robot? We’re going there next week, we’ll be taking a boat ride, but probably not the Himiko.
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D’oh! Never mind, re-read and saw it’s in Shiokaze Park. I showed the pix to hub and son, they’re both super excited! Thanks for the info!
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Do you know how to get to 潮風公園 (Shiokaze Park)?
Are your husband and son Gundam fans?
My daughters aren’t interested in Gundam.
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When I think of Odaiba I think of the Hawaiian hamburger shop (but I can’t think of the name now).
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I looooovvvve that restaurant! It’s called Kua ‘Aina.
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“Brenda”,
Do you go to Odaiba often?
Do you eat at that restaurant everytime you visit Odaiba?
Have you tried any of the other Hawaiian restaurants in Tokyo?
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“sixmats”,
Yes, there are many Hawaiian restaurants in the Tokyo area (actually there are all kinds of restaurants in Tokyo…Tokyo has more restaurants than any other city in the world).
There are Hawaiian restaurants in Odaiba, Tokyo Dome City, Yokohama 赤レンガ倉庫 (Red Brick Warehouse), Shibuya, etc.
The only one I’ve tried is the one in Shibuya.
They’re good…but a bit pricey.
Odaiba has many interesting shops.
I particularly like the 「お台場一丁目商店街」 (Odaiba’s traditional Showa Era shopping area).
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I forgot to mention that in the evenings, the Gundam robot shoots steam from his vents and is lit up…including his eyes, and his head moves.
We weren’t able to stay there until evening yesterday, so we didn’t see that…but we may go back to Odaiba before the robot’s gone and see it in the evening.
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