Tokyo Rainbow Bridge

The Tokyo Rainbow Bridge is a stunning structure that spans across Tokyo Bay, connecting the city’s central district with the man-made island of Odaiba. Completed in 1993, the bridge has become an iconic landmark in Tokyo and a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. 

The Rainbow Bridge is quite often the spotlight of night time photography and night time skyline viewing. With numerous spots to sit and look out towards the bridge, the Rainbow Bridge is an icon of Tokyo, that you will no doubt have seen before. 

While called the Rainbow Bridge, it is very rarely illuminated in the rainbow colours. The rainbow colours are reserved for special occasions. The rainbow colouration is typically seen in December. On most nights the Rainbow Bridge is lit up white about 30 minutes after sunset, through to midnight. The bridge is also sometimes lit up to mark special occasions, with the colours varying depending on the event. 

You can walk on the underside of the Rainbow Bridge, which in itself is a pretty unique attraction. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk from one side to another, though you will find that you will probably take longer as you stop to enjoy the scenery. Biking is not permitted, but you can push your bike from one end to the other. 

Odaiba is home to many of Tokyo’s most popular attractions, and the rainbow bridge can be seen as a gateway to a futuristic part of the city. In Odaiba, you can find many great attractions, such as the fullsize, 19m tall Gunmam Statue, the National Museum of Emerging Science, and the Odaiba Statue of Liberty. One could easily make a day of exploring Odaiba, and then taking in the sunset watching over the Rainbow Bridge.