Walk this suspension bridge over Tokyo Bay for views of Tokyo’s skyline or see its rainbow lights from the waterfront, monorail or boat cruise.
At night, the water around Rainbow Bridge sparkles, illuminating nearby buildings and the bridge stands out like a beacon. With solar-powered red, white and green lights, this suspension bridge was given the name ‘Rainbow Bridge’ by the people of Tokyo. At night, the lights shine out across Tokyo Bay, and when the blue lights below the bridge light up, the bridge truly lives up to its name.As with so many sights in Tokyo, Rainbow Bridge combines beautiful architecture with functionality, and in this case, the 798-metre suspension bridge is a major transport route within Tokyo. On its upper deck, an expressway connects Shibaura Pier to the Odaiba waterfront area in Minato, while below there is a monorail and lanes for ordinary traffic and pedestrians.Odaiba waterfront with its restaurants, shops and museums provides one of the most exceptional views of the bridge and the surrounding skyline. Replicas of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower frame the bridge against the city’s native architecture, reminding visitors that they are in a truly global city.By night, Rainbow Bridge comes into its own: after sunset, the bridge lights up and shows its magical colours. For a different perspective at any time of day, travel under the bridge by futuristic water bus or take the monorail to enjoy the expansive view from its windows as you cross. A walk across the bridge at any time of day provides an excellent opportunity to take stunning photographs. There are views to the north of Tokyo Tower, Skytree and the city skyline, and to the south, the beach and the Fuji Television Building of Odaiba. Often lavish, traditional Yakatabune boats can be seen ferrying Tokyoites and visitors up and down Tokyo Bay and under Rainbow Bridge. And on a clear day, you might just catch sight of Mount Fuji rising up in the distance, inviting you to pause and admire for just a moment.
