Wakasu, Recreational island in Koto, Japan
Wakasu is a landfill island in Kōtō-ku featuring an industrial zone, a waterfront park with multiple viewing spots, an 18-hole golf course, and a large campground. The Tokyo Gate Bridge towers over the eastern horizon and defines the island's most recognizable view.
The island was created in the 1980s through landfill using incinerator ash from garbage disposal, a common practice in Japanese urban expansion. The reclaimed land was later transformed into a multipurpose public space.
The Tokyo Gate Bridge illumination from sunset to midnight draws visitors who gather to photograph and observe the metropolitan landscape stretching across the waterfront.
The island is best reached by taking the JR Keiyo Line or Rinkai Line to Shinkiba Station, where buses connect to the campground and park areas. Wear sturdy shoes since distances between zones are considerable and terrain can be uneven in places.
A substantial wind turbine stands near the golf course, marking the location's commitment to renewable energy in the Tokyo metropolitan region. It remains one of the few visible symbols of sustainability within this area otherwise dominated by recreational and industrial facilities.
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