Travel Guide
Introduction
The Rainbow Bridge is an enormous suspension bridge crossing northern Tokyo Bay between Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba waterfront development in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
Rainbow Bridge is an elegant looking bridge and features in many day and night time pictures of Tokyo. The bridge features three primary colored lights which change seasonally, for special occasions. The rainbow colours appear during the holiday season and are called "Millennium Illumination." There is also a variation where the lights on the suspended cables are turned pink in support of cancer research, annually in October. The bridge's lights are powered by solar energy gathered during the day.
Pedestrians can walk across Rainbow Bridge on either side of the lower deck, where views of Tokyo Tower and parts of the inner Tokyo Harbour can be seen on the north side, while views across Tokyo city towards Mt Fuji (on a very clear day) can be seen on the south side.
This is a great spot to go at sunset, and see the lights coming on as the sun goes down! Why not try viewing it from the Decks Tokyo Beach boardwalk?
Architecture
Rainbow Bridge has a total length of 798m, with its longest span being 570m and a height of 126m (towers) and deck at 52m. Construction on Rainbow Bridge started in 1987, with completion in 1993. Officially called the "Shuto Expressway No. 11 Daiba Route - Port of Tokyo Connector Bridge," the name "'Rainbow Bridge" was decided by the public.
The towers supporting the bridge are white in color, designed to harmonize with the skyline of central Tokyo seen from Odaiba.
The Rainbow Bridge carries three transportation lines on two decks. The upper deck carries the Shuto Expressway's Daiba Route, while the lower deck carries the Yurikamome rapid transit system in the centre, walkways on the outer side, and Tokyo Prefectural Route 482 in-between. Route 482 was formerly a tolled road, but opposition to the toll led to its removal. Light motorcycles under 50cc are not permitted on either deck or the walkway of the bridge. Motorcycle pillion passengers are also banned.
Travel Advice
Walkways
Walking the length of the bridge (access it from Shibaura-futo Station on the Tokyo side, Odaiba-kaihinkoen on the Odaiba side) takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The distance is about 1.7 km from entrance to exit.
The walkways may only be used during certain hours (9 am to 9 pm from April to October; 10 am to 6 pm from November to March, access to the walkways close 30 minutes before closing time). Bicycles are permitted on the condition it is pushed (as opposed to riding). If you do bring a bicycle, a wooden board with small wheels will be attached to each of the bicycle tires that will be taken off at the other side. If you wish to cycle around Odaiba, you can use the bridge to the northeast, from Harumi-dori.
Close: Every third Wednesday. The following day if a public holiday falls on the day.
Visit
| Address | 3-33-19 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo | |
| Phone | 03-5442-2578 (Rainbow Bridge Management Office) | |
| Admission | Free | |
| Hours | Free | |
| Closed | Open 7 Days a Week | |
| Duration | 10 minutes | |
| Getting There | By Train 3 minutes walk from Shibaura-futo Station or 10 minutes walk from Odaiba-kaihinkoen on Yurikagome Line. By Car On the Rout 11 (Daiba Route) of Shuto Expressway. |
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| Parking | No parking available | |
Attractions in Japan