However, the history of the statue might surprise you, because it has a lot more to do with the French than the Americans.
However, it is much smaller in size than the one you would find to the East of the U.S., despite it looking enormous in photos as it stands next to a suspension bridge known locally as the Rainbow Bridge (with no relation to Nintendo’s Mario Kart).
The New York sculpture is 151 feet, whilst the pedestal it stands on is 154 feet tall, making it ma-hoosive!
So, now that you are here, let’s take a look at the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, and understand how it got to be in Japan.
Did you know, there are other statues of this kind in other areas of Japan too?
We’ll tell you all you need to know. Let’s get to it!
How Did Odaiba In Tokyo Get A Statue Of Liberty?
Back in 1998, Japan wanted to celebrate the ties that they had with France. To do this, they erected a Statue of Liberty temporarily in Odaiba, which was taken down in 1999.
This particular statue was actually flown in from Île aux Cygnes which is based in Paris.
Originally, France got the statue in 1889 when they were gifted it by the U.S citizens in celebration of the French Revolution.
Because the statue had been so popular during the years 1998 to 1999 in Odaiba, they decided in the year 2000 to create a replica of the sculpture which has been there ever since.
Where Is The Statue Of Liberty In Odaiba?
If you are interested in seeing the Statue of Liberty in Tokyo, then you will need to head to Odaiba.
It was originally created alongside other man made islands to act as forts to protect Japan at the latter end of the Edo Period which ran from 1603 to 1868.
Daiba translates to ‘fort’, and it was this place which made sure Japan was safe from attacks made at sea.
Nowadays, Odaiba has what people call artificial beaches, and the area is used not only as a day trip resort, but for shopping (there is a huge shopping mall) and for technology.
All you need to do to get there is take a train which goes over Rainbow Bridge.
Sometimes the bridge is lit up in different colors, hence the name which was given by locals.
It really is an exciting experience as you travel over the water away from the hustle and bustle, and find yourself by the sea.
The statue itself sits by Rainbow Bridge and is difficult to miss. Whilst it isn’t as impressive as the original in New York, it is something you must check out if you are heading on a vacation to Tokyo.
How Do I Get To Odaiba To See The Statue Of Liberty?
Odaiba is an easy place to get to and there are several ways to make it to this man made resort and the Statue of Liberty.
You can take the Yurikamome line from Daiba Station, or it will only take you three minutes to reach the statue when coming from Odaiba-kaihinkoen station.
Another option is to take the Rinkai Line via Tokyo Teleport Station, which will then take you another 7 minutes to see it on foot.
Are There Other Statues Of Liberty Sculptures In Japan?
If you want to see all of the Statues of Liberty in Japan, then you better keep reading.
There are two others to see, and then a damaged version which may or may not be viewable, so it will be worth checking up-to-date information – though, we shall discuss it anyway!
Whilst the Statue of Liberty is the most impressive in Odaiba, there is one in Osaka, and another in Aomori.
The one in Osaka isn’t easy to get to, and because it is quite far out, it lacks any important detail. It does, however, look over the shopping mall called New American Plaza.
If you happen to be heading to Northern Japan, particularly close to the Misawa Air Base, then you might see the detailed Statue of Liberty.
Based in Ichou Park (which is huge, by the way), this Statue of Liberty replica stands at around 37 feet tall.
It also includes a replica of the stand as well, making this the second best Statue of Liberty to see in Japan.
Also, once it turns to night, the statue is lit up giving the park a wonderful atmosphere.
Lastly, there is a damaged Statue of Liberty to see in Ishinomaki. It was ruined in the Tsunami back in 2014. The good news is that it didn’t collapse completely.
However, it isn’t a very good replica. The details are not very good, and her face is quite childish – plus, it is very white and looks unfinished. Still, it is worth seeing!
Final Thoughts
It might be surprising to know that there is a Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, but wait until you find out that there are actually 5 of these sculptures scattered around Japan.
Odaiba houses one of the best however, and it is situated next to Rainbow Bridge which you can actually travel on to get to the man made resort.
If you do happen to be traveling to Japan for your next vacation , don’t forget to head to Odaiba, whether it is for a beach break during the hustle and bustle of the big city, or because you want to check out the Statue of Liberty whilst drinking a Starbucks.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
