evergrn

You say it's culturally barren. But for us and our family/friends, it's a place that can provide hours of fun. Odaiba is endless array of amusement and shopping. There're different events and stores that may not be of much interest unless you're always watching Japanese TV/DVD like us. Fuji TV complex is fun to visit every couple years. One of the larger Disney stores there, too. My kids in particular can spend all day in Odaiba. There's a little Showa era area that sells things that I grew up and can reminesce about. There's the view of iconic Rainbow Bridge. It's a place I used to hang out with wife before we got married (as do lot of young couples).

Mind you, it's not my most favorite area personally. For similar purpose, I prefer Minatomirai.

I thought the shopping/amusement complexes in Odaiba are open on New Years Day. I could be wrong, but I thought most of them were open. It sounds like those are mostly museums you're mentioning, but I'm not familiar with those places actually. For us, Odaiba is about the malls, events, game centers and generally just hanging out.

AlwaysAisle

It is a trend of past few years. Long time ago everything was pretty much closed from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3 in Japan.

Then 30 - 20 years ago large department stores and other tourist attractions started to open for a business during New Year.

However, past few years trend is reversing. Business are deciding to close for New Year to give employees time with family during holiday. More and more businesses are deciding to close for New Year every year. Predicted that more businesses will be closed for New Year 2019 compare with New Year 2018.

LapLap

Me too.