Yurikamome Line in Tokyo
Tokyo is a fascinating and interesting place to visit, even more so as a place to live. Among one of more enjoyable yet inexpensive things to do in Tokyo is to ride the Yurikamome Line. The line, named after the black-headed seagull (the official prefectural bird), connects Shimbashi to Toyosu, passing through the artificial island of Odaiba. Yurikamome was Tokyo's first fully automated transit system, controlled entirely by computers with no drivers on board. Each of stations use the recorded voices of different renown voice actors for their announcements.
What makes it such a interesting journey is the elevated track that takes you past the warehouses and shipyards of Takeshiba, across the Rainbow with a terrific view of Tokyo Harbor and through Odaiba. Departing from Shibaura-futo Station, the train glides high above the port below and makes a 270-degree loop, providing panoramic views. Get off at Daiba Station and walk to the waterfront. Walk northeast (to your right) along the beach for about twenty minutes until you get to Daiba Koen, a small park on a peninsula with spectacular views of the city and the bridge. Or walk in the opposite direction and end up at the Fune-no-kakagukan (Maritime Museum) where there are plenty of boats and ships to see, some retired and many working vessels. The Japan Coast Guard keeps a small fleet of its boats in this area.
If time and energy permit, there is an entrance to the walking path across the Rainbow Bridge located near the Daiba Koen. Just make sure it is open at the time you are there. Usually the bridge path is open 9-5 and shorter hours in the winter. There is a walkway on both sides of the bridge and access is free. Take along your camera but roaming guards discourage the use of tripods. There are several places along the bridge where you can sit and rest, and there are openings in the wire fence for photography. But the noise from the traffic is anything but relaxing.
