Tokyo Beaches - Sort of...

Although Tokyo is on the ocean, it hardly ever feels like it from where we are in West Tokyo. As a bi-coastal American (who has never lived or travelled in the vast 'middle' of the US) being near the oceah is important to me. Unfortunately while in Tokyo we rarely trekked to enjoy the ocean air.

Surprisingly, there are 'beaches' in Tokyo though none of them are natural nor swimmable. In the summer in Shibuya (the area where a lot of Lost in Translation scenes were filmed) the build a city beach in the summer. Its really quite a fun thing. Apparently they bring in heaps of sand (supposedly from China) and set up a 'beach' where Tokyoites who want a non-airconditioning respite from the oppressive heat flock to. No kidding people are wearing bikini tops with shorts, sitting on deck chairs in the sand with Corona's under mist machines to take the sting out of the incredible humidity.

The other 'beach' is in Odaiba, an area of landfill in Tokyo Bay. In nearly two years I never went there until a few weeks ago with Carys and Harold. This beach looks real and even has water (which the one in Shibuya lacks), though it is too toxic to swim in, and there are none of the cool misting machines. So the water tempts you but there is no option to cool off, unless you get some ice cream at the beachside cafe.

I took this pic the day we trekked out there, seems a bit surreal to me, perhaps you'll agree...