自由の炎 Sculpture

Have you ever heard of a statue that crossed continents, not once, but twice? The Flame of Freedom, a replica of the Statue of Liberty’s torch, has a fascinating tale to tell, right here at the Odaiba Statue of Liberty. The original Odaiba Statue of Liberty was a replica of the one at Ile aux Cygnes in Paris. It was brought to Tokyo in 1998 as a symbol of Franco-Japanese friendship, its first exhibition abroad. The Flame of Freedom, atop our Odaiba Statue of Liberty, echoes the Parisian original and its own unique history. This original French statue, a quarter-scale replica of Lady Liberty herself, stood on the Ile aux Cygnes. In a beautiful gesture, it faced east towards the Eiffel Tower. Then in 1937, it was reoriented to face west towards its big sister in New York. Now, back to our Odaiba Statue of Liberty. The 1998 exhibition was incredibly popular. As its return date loomed, many wished it would stay. So, a new replica was commissioned, this time specifically for Odaiba. It was unveiled in December 2000. The Odaiba Statue of Liberty, complete with its Flame of Freedom, stands proudly at 12.25 meters tall and weighs nine tons. As you admire the Flame of Freedom, remember its connection to both Paris and New York. It’s a beacon of friendship and a testament to the enduring power of symbols. The best view of the Odaiba Statue of Liberty and its Flame of Freedom is from the Skywalk promenade. It connects Odaiba Marine Park and Symbol Promenade Park, offering a close-up perspective.