The Museum of Maritime Science at Odaiba, Tokyo, is one of the most comprehensive nautical museums in the world. Fune-no-Kagakukan, as the museum is called in the vernacular, is shaped like a ship and contains an observatory and multiple levels of interactive displays. It also has a large outdoor area including a seaside pool, which is open only during the summer and is one of the season’s most popular attractions.
The lower parts of the museum are dedicated to nautical engineering and ship designing. It contains displays on ship propulsion systems and the designing and building of ships. There is even a hall dedicated to symbols used in marine navigation as well as a special meeting hall. The upper levels of the museum host a variety of displays on navigating the seas, including a number of models of submarines, Japanese ships, super tankers, wood ships, containers and ferries. There is a special children’s corner where kids can play with a remote controlled boat.
The outdoor display focuses on Japan’s marine history, and contains many artefacts to mark the country’s many maritime milestones. The Soya, which is a cargo icebreaker and was the first ship used by Japan for the observation and study of Antarctica, is moored close by. There is also a gift shop, where one can get souvenirs, as well as a café. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and till 6 pm on weekends. There is an entrance fee but it is completely worth it, especially for maritime enthusiasts. The maritime museum is only 16 minutes away from the Shimbashi Station.
Odiaba is a manmade island in Tokyo whose architecture has been described as ‘hyper-modern’. There are many amazing buildings to be seen here. Odiaba can be reached by bus, boat, train and ferry. In fact, the train is an especially popular means of exploring the island. The automated Yurikamome, which is part bus and part train offers riders amazing views of the city from its elevated tracks. It will be convenient for tourists to find Tokyo accommodation close to subway stations. The Somerset Azabu East Tokyo offers serviced accommodation Tokyo which is within walking distance of 3 subway stations, effectively putting the entire city within easy reach.
