This article is based on a visit made on Monday, 31 March 2014.
Previously on Sekai Ichi,
I landed on the island of Odaiba, home to many shopping malls and other commercial and entertainment venues. The first one I chose to stop at was Venus Fort (ヴィーナスフォート,
Vīnasu Fōto), located on the southern edge of Odaiba.
Venus Fort is divided among three floors: Venus Family, the first/ground floor, Venus Grand, the 2nd, and Venus Outlet, the 3rd. The names are generally self-explanatory., and may be entered by a courtyard on the building's east side.
An inflatable maze was set up for kids when I was there.
The second floor, Venus Grand, is worth a walk-through even for those with no interest in shopping, as it is designed after an Italian streetscape. The "sky" ceiling changes colour from a day to an evening and night scene and back over the course of every hour. If you've ever been to Las Vegas, it would remind you of the malls at Caesar's Palace and/or the Venetian
.
The Fountain Plaza. From the entrance, the mall's layout splits like a ring into two directions, which converge here. The third floor, Venus Outlet, can also be seen here.
The Olive Plaza.
The Church Plaza, at the far western end of the mall. Most of the cafes and restaurants on this floor are centered around this plaza.
Shopping not your thing? No problem! Across from Venus Fort is the Megaweb Toyota City Showcase (メガウェブ トヨタ シティ ショウケース,
Megawebu Toyota Shiti Shōkēsu), which serves as a showroom for Toyota cars and a showcase for their new and future automotive technology. The white one on the left is a plug-in version of the Prius. The blue one on the right is their FCV concept, powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
The frame of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered FCV concept car, left open like this to illustrate how the system works.
For something a little more hands-on, there are a few driving experiences at Toyota MegaWeb, both real and computer-based. This one simulates a drive from Odaiba to Asakusa, with a few special situations thrown in to get (mostly little) drivers used to the rules of the road.
Another set of simulators, these ones running the game
Gran Turismo 6.
In addition to showcasing their new and future car technology, MegaWeb also serves as a showroom for Toyota's latest lineup. You can even test-drive select models on their private course; this requires a Japanese driver's license or an international driving permit. Those under 18 (or adults accompanying children) can instead drive around on a separate go-kart track, learning basic rules of the road in the process.
This chrome-painted Toyota Harrier, sold abroad as the Lexus RX-series, certainly caught my eye, along with the reflections of more than a few lights from above.
The Toyota Century is their flagship luxury car in Japan. An armoured limousine version, called the Toyota Century Royal, was built for the Emperor of Japan. (The Prime Minister, on the other hand, rides in a regular Century or a hybrid Lexus LS600h.) Also note how the rear-view mirrors are placed further down the hood. This was more common on older cars, but still remains as such on the present-day Century.
The gift shop featured a tie-in with
Rush, a film about the rivalry between 1970s Formula 1 racers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Nikki Lauda (Daniel Brühl).
MegaWeb even has their own superhero team, MegaWeb Sentai Vitzranger! Starring... you, apparently!
Other attractions in the Palette Town complex are Zepp Tokyo, a concert venue, Tokyo Leisureland, and the Daikanransha, a giant Ferris wheel.
Venus Fort
Hours: Varies by store; most stores are open from 11:00 AM to 9:00PM; most restaurants close 11:00 PM. No regular closing days.
Costs: Free entry. Stores accept credit cards including MasterCard, Visa, Diner's Club, JCB, and China UnionPay. A currency exchange machine (foreign-to-Yen only) is available near the LAOX store on the first floor.
Address: 1-3-15 Aomi, Kōtō-ku, Tōkyō-to 〒135-0064
Access: Right next to Aomi station
(U10) on the Yurikamome line, or 5 minutes from Tokyo Teleport station
(R04) on the Rinkai line.
Directions: From Aomi Station, the central courtyard is directly in front of the main exit, via a walkway.
From Tokyo Teleport Station, turn right (south) from exit A.. Follow the giant Ferris wheel mentioned above.
Website:
(English) (Japanese)
Toyota MegaWeb
Hours: Open 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Test-drive closes at 8:00 PM, kids' kart track closes at 7:00 PM. No regular closing days.
Costs: Free entry.
Address: 1-3-12 Aomi, Kōtō-ku, Tōkyō-to 〒135-0064
Access: See above.
Directions: Across the courtyard from Venus Fort, on the 1st and 2nd floors.
Website:
(English) (Japanese)
