Odaiba Shopping
In Tokyo, Odaiba and shopping go together a bit like bread and butter! Of course, Odaiba is far more than just shopping, but if you fancy a day strolling round a whole range of different shops and themes this is a great place to visit. Choose from Venus Fort, Aqua City, and Tokyo Decks or visit all three - they are all in walking distance of each other.
Tokyo Decks
Why the name Tokyo Decks? The main walkways on the outside of this shopping mall are all wooden decks with a view of Rainbow Bridge that is hard to beat. Along this deck you will find all kinds of small stalls offering to sell you handmade jewellery, paint your picture, tempt you with ice-cream or convince you to buy numerous souvenir goods.
Inside the building itself there are several floors of goods. On the first floor there are some great household goods stores. If you are looking for that particular Japanese dish, kitchenware, ornament or bonsai tree, you are likely to find it here.
The 4th floor is worth a visit to see the indoor market style lay out and the variety of goods on sale. Be warned though that this one gets crowded. You will need your patience with you as well as your wallet. The need for space and the value placed on it by individuals is different here. Don't be surprised if the person in front of you stops to look at something - in the middle of the walkway. They're not doing it to annoy you - that's just the way it is here.
The second and third floors have the usual array of clothing and accessory shops. If you want to see some of the zany fashions in Tokyo this is the place to be - both on the shelves and on the people looking at the shelves. It's one of the things I love about Tokyo actually - people can wear whatever they like and no-one bats an eyelid. Odaiba, same as Shibuya, is a showcase for Tokyo street fashion.
Venus Fort
Venus Fort is accessed from the overpass exit from the Rinkai Line station Tokyo Teleport - great name isn't it? It's easy to spot - just head towards the huge ferris wheel that you can see. Here you will find an amusement type center on the first floor with shops above.
The most distinctive aspect of Odaiba shopping at Venus Fort is the interior design of the mall. It is supposed to be a representation of Venice with shop entrances and hallways decorated to give the appearnace of being outside with blue sky and clouds painted on the ceiling. The lighting inside changes to suit the time of day and the atmosphere really is different to your usual neon lit mall.
If you need a break from shopping, there is also a small history museum in here which is well worth a visit. It has a range of classic cars from bygone glory days including an E-type Jaguar that is in spectacular condition.
Aqua City
Situated just a little further down the way from Tokyo Decks, past Joypolis, and close to the Maritime and Science Museums is Aqua City. Similar in nature to the Decks, you will find clothes shops as well as accessories, shoes, and some designer shops such as Coach.
If you get peckish on your Odaiba shopping trip there's a vast range of restaurants available here from fast food to Italian, to Chinese. There is a Hawaiian burger restaurant near the Statue of Liberty that comes with a personal recommendation - delicicious!
Odaiba Cat Shop
If you like cats then there is a must visit shop to put on your Odaiba shopping list. From Tokyo Decks head down to road level and look for a shop with the entrance pictured to the right. It's not difficult to find! Anything you need for your cat can be found here including outfits and wigs if that is your desire.
There are always some cats for sale in here and they are beautiful. There is also a special area of the shop where you can pay to go and sit with some of the cats and give them a fuss. It might seem a strange idea but many people's apartments are too small for them to keep a pet so they take advantage of this kind of opportunity instead.
