What are Rainbow Bridge's pedestrian walkway hours?

April 1 to October 31: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. November 1 to March 31: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing in both seasons.

Is Rainbow Bridge free to walk across?

Yes, the pedestrian walkway is free with no ticket or reservation required.

How long does it take to walk across Rainbow Bridge?

About 25-40 minutes one-way at a relaxed, photo-stopping pace, for the roughly 1.7 km walkway.

Which side of Rainbow Bridge has better views, north or south?

The North Route faces Tokyo Tower and the city skyline; the South Route faces Tokyo Bay and Odaiba, with a distant Mount Fuji view possible on clear days. Neither is objectively better, they show different views, and walking one way each direction lets you see both.

Can you walk across Rainbow Bridge at night?

Not into true night. The walkway closes at 9 PM even in summer and 6 PM in winter, well before the bridge's illumination runs until midnight, so an evening walk should be timed for dusk rather than true nighttime.

Can you ride a bike across Rainbow Bridge?

No, riding is not permitted on the walkway. Bicycles must be pushed using a provided cart, or carried if folded or bagged.

What is the nearest station to Rainbow Bridge's walkway?

Shibaura-futo Station (Yurikamome Line) is about 5 minutes from the Shibaura-side entrance, which has elevator access. Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station (Yurikamome Line) is about 15 minutes from the Odaiba-side entrance.

What is the best time of day to walk Rainbow Bridge?

Late afternoon into dusk, while the walkway is still open, to catch golden hour and the start of the evening lighting without running into the closing time.

Can you see Tokyo Tower from Rainbow Bridge?

Yes, from the North Route, which faces the central Tokyo skyline and Tokyo Tower.

Which entrance should I start from, Shibaura or Odaiba?

Start from Shibaura if step-free elevator access or a restroom matters, since only that side has both. Start from Odaiba if you're continuing on to teamLab Planets or Toyosu Market afterward.

Rainbow Bridge

Q: Can you walk across Rainbow Bridge?

Yes. A free, covered pedestrian walkway called the Rainbow Promenade runs along the bridge's lower level, open during seasonal daytime-to-evening hours.

Q: Is Rainbow Bridge wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchair users can cross, but the promenade has a noticeable slope, and the two entrances are not equally accessible: the Shibaura side has an elevator, while the Odaiba side has only a ramp. Traveling with a companion or assistance is recommended.

By Andrew Liyan · Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Facts verified: August 25, 2026

Quick Answer

Hours

9 AM-9 PM (Apr-Oct); 10 AM-6 PM (Nov-Mar)

Admission

Free

Nearest Station

Shibaura-futo Station (about 5 minutes walk)

Best Time

Late afternoon into dusk

Visit Duration

30-45 minutes one-way

Rainbow Bridge illuminated at dusk over Tokyo Bay with the Tokyo Tower skyline behind it, Japan

Area: Shibaura-Odaiba / Minato
Best For: Photography, Views, Couples
Nearby: teamLab Planets · Toyosu Market

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Visiting Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge can be experienced three ways: driving across it on the upper-level expressway, viewing it from the Yurikamome train or a waterfront viewpoint, or walking it on foot via the Rainbow Promenade. This page covers walking it, the only way to cross Tokyo Bay here on foot.

The bridge's formal name is the Tokyo Port Connector Bridge (Tokyo Port Bridge); 'Rainbow Bridge' was chosen as its public nickname through a naming competition. Construction began in January 1987, and the bridge opened to traffic on August 26, 1993, connecting Shibaura in central Tokyo to the Odaiba waterfront.

The free, covered Rainbow Promenade runs along the bridge's lower level, split into a North Route (facing Tokyo Tower and the city skyline) and a South Route (facing Tokyo Bay, Odaiba, and occasionally Mount Fuji on clear days). The full walkway is about 1.7 km end to end, with benches and a small mid-point observation deck on the North Route.

The two entrances are not equally accessible: the Shibaura side has an elevator up to walkway level, while the Odaiba side has only a sloping ramp and no restroom. The walkway also closes well before true night, even though the bridge's famous illumination continues until midnight, so a nighttime illumination viewing is best done from a distance, not on the walkway itself.

Best paired with an Odaiba day itinerary rather than treated as a stand-alone trip, walking Rainbow Bridge is a free, photogenic way to see Tokyo Bay from a different angle, well suited to independent travelers, couples, and photographers.

Things to Do at Rainbow Bridge

Choose Your Route: North vs. South
The North Route faces Tokyo Tower and the central Tokyo skyline. The South Route faces Tokyo Bay and Odaiba, with a distant glimpse of Mount Fuji possible on clear days. Both routes are covered and mesh-sided, so shooting through the mesh gaps gives the clearest photos.
Time It for Dusk, Not True Night
The walkway closes at 9 PM even in summer and 6 PM in winter, well before Rainbow Bridge's illumination runs until midnight. Late afternoon into dusk, while the walkway is still open, is the best way to catch golden hour and the start of the evening lighting without missing the closing time.

How to Get to Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge's pedestrian walkway has two entrances, and they are not equally accessible, so the right approach depends on mobility needs and which direction you're starting from.

Shibaura-side Entrance
About a 5-minute walk from Shibaura-futo Station (Yurikamome Line). An elevator takes visitors up to walkway level, and this side also has the only restroom on either entrance.
Odaiba-side Entrance
About a 15-minute walk from Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station (Yurikamome Line), or reachable from Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line). This entrance has no elevator, only a long sloping ramp, and no restroom.
Important Visitor Tips Before Arriving
The walkway closes the third Monday of every month (the following day if that Monday is a holiday), plus unscheduled closures for maintenance or strong wind.
Riding a bicycle across is not permitted; bikes must be pushed on a provided cart or carried folded/bagged.
The walkway itself does not stay open into true night; it closes at 9 PM even in summer, well before the bridge's illumination runs until midnight.

For IC cards, tickets, and full transit basics for Tokyo, see the complete transportation guide.

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Map

Open Rainbow Bridge in Google Maps

Best Time to Visit Rainbow Bridge

Late afternoon into dusk, within seasonal open hours.

Entry Fee & Hours

🎟️

Admission

Free, no ticket or reservation required

⏰

Hours

Apr 1-Oct 31: 9:00 AM-9:00 PM. Nov 1-Mar 31: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed the third Monday of every month

💡Good to Know

•The walkway closes the third Monday of every month, plus unscheduled closures for maintenance or strong wind.
•A restroom is available only at the Shibaura-side entrance; there is none on the Odaiba side.
•Riding a bicycle across is not permitted; bikes must be pushed on a provided cart.