Events

You may not know the Odaiba district by name before coming to Japan. Still, you have undoubtedly seen its various landmarks turn up in almost every form of media that showcases modern Tokyo. From landmarks like the triangular inverted pyramid of Tokyo Big Sight to the sprawling convention center, ginormous Ferris wheel over the Pallete Town leisure area, or the imposing Rainbow Bridge connecting the central Tokyo mainland to the island, you’ve seen it before. Right down to the in-real-life sized Gundam robot that stands guard over the place. But why are these things located on an island sitting on the edge of Tokyo Bay? The Batteries that Protected Edo Somewhere around 1853, fortifications became required on the coast to protect the city (then known as Edo) from those pesky Americans, lead by Commodore Perry, who were trying to force trade with the reclusive shogunate. Small islands were dredged out of the seabed and fitted with cannon batteries, which in Japanese are called ”Daiba” (台場). Although 11 were planned, only six were built. The third one is now a park that you can visit and see how it looked over 160 years ago. Later during WWII, the area surrounding the batteries…