Off the beaten path in Tokyo: the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba

Japan has a wonderful habit of surprising you with things you absolutely did not expect to find, like walking around Tokyo and suddenly spotting the Statue of Liberty greeting you from across the water. One minute you’re in Odaiba, admiring Rainbow Bridge and the futuristic skyline, and the next you’re lining up a photo that looks suspiciously like New York… except it’s definitely not.

What makes this moment even more special for me is the timing. I took this picture about a month before I moved to the US in 2018. At the time, I had no idea what life in America would look like or how much of Japan I’d end up missing. Fast forward to now: I live in the Bay Area, surrounded by plenty of iconic American scenery, and yet, true to form, I still haven’t made it to New York. My first, and so far only, encounter with Lady Liberty remains firmly rooted in Tokyo. Somehow that feels perfectly on‑brand for my cross‑cultural life.

The Tokyo Statue of Liberty has its own charming little history. She first appeared in 1998 as part of “France Year in Japan,” a celebration of cultural exchange between the two countries. The temporary installation turned out to be such a hit, with tourists and Tokyo locals alike, that after the event ended, the city decided to bring her back as a permanent resident.

The version standing today isn’t the original, but it has been overlooking Tokyo Bay since the early 2000s, adding a quirky international twist to Odaiba’s already eclectic atmosphere.

She’s smaller than the New York original, but unmistakable: torch raised high, robe flowing, gaze steady. And somehow, with Rainbow Bridge behind her and the wide sweep of the bay at her feet, she fits right into Tokyo’s habit of blending cultures in ways that feel both unexpected and strangely natural.

For me, this little encounter sums up the joy of living in Japan: the constant sense that just around the corner, you might stumble upon something delightful and improbable. Even now, years after leaving, I love that one of my favorite Tokyo memories is of a landmark from a city I still haven’t visited.

Japan gave me a preview of America before I even set foot on US soil, just with a twist only Tokyo could pull off.