Odaiba and Comiket preparations

Tomorrow marks the start of the three-day-madness that is Comiket 78, so I did some scouting today and got a good look at Odaiba as well.

Tokyo Big Sight

Started off at the Tokyo Big Sight of course, the venue for the Comic Market.

Some preparation going on there, both the on-site Conbini and Comiket crew stocking up on what they need to satisfy the masses to arrive tomorrow.

Conbini prep

Comiket catalogues

Well, now that I new where it is and how I get there, I was off to explore the rest of this man-made island.

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While walking around I found these tiles, depicting star constellations. Some of them I knew and recognized, others, however, I could not make out at all. Heck, if not for the name I might not even have looked at some from the correct side. Wikipedia helped, once I was at home, but I still find the picture of Puppis confusing.

Constellation

Also came across some girls advertising Red Bull and introducing the Japan-sized cans (a bit smaller than the ones at home). They where pretty surprised when I told them that I came from the same country as the stuff they where handing out *g*.

Red Bull ad car

Austria ^^

By the way, it started raining while I walked around. Typical.

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One thing you should not miss in Odaiba are the enormous shopping malls with included gourmet restaurants and indoor amusement parks. Yes, different rides, houses of horror and lots of games under one roof. For those who like more physically challenging games there is the Muscle Park, where strength and skill are necessary to win.

Came by this JUMP shop as well, lots and lots of merchandise and interesting crossovers.

JUMP shop

Chopper - Overview

Zoom on nose

They where doing a lot drawing in front of it, meaning that you can buy a ticket and win whatever letter you draw (A-I I think), A and B being the grand prizes. Bought a ticket, got a B and am now the owner of a really big Whitebeard statue (One Piece).
Picture:

Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate

Still not sure how I will fit him in my trunk with all the other souvenirs, but nice nevertheless ^^

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Right outside the Decks you can see the Statue of Liberty of Odaiba and the Rainbow Bridge.

Statue of Liberty

Some other pictures:

Outlook from Big Sight

Harbour cruise anyone?

Ferris wheel

Museum of Maritime Science

Flame of Liberty

Odaiba

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I also visited the National Museum for Emerging Sciences and Innovation a.k.a. Miraikan, probably the most rewarding science museum of Japan. Lots of interesting info (if you like science, that is), interactive displays, and a stunning range of areas. You start of with the basics of science and research, enter space-related areas, go over to life sciences and end up at the earth as a whole. I really recommend a trip there, if the opportunity arises. They have their normal exhibition as well as a changing special exhibition, the latter of which I will visit in the next days as well.