On the horizon, where steel and sky embrace, lies Reiwajima. A testament to human endeavor, born from the depths of Tokyo Bay. Reiwajima, a name whispered on the winds, holds a story as intriguing as the city it calls home. Once a disputed territory, its very existence sparked a decades-long debate between Koto and Ota. For forty years, these districts wrestled for control, each claiming a right to this man-made marvel. Koto argued its residents bore the burden of the waste that formed the island. Ota countered, citing historical ties to nori cultivators and the proximity of Haneda Airport.
Reiwajima, however, offered little in the way of tangible rewards. The true prize lay in the prestige, the bragging rights to this new land. Finally, in 2019, the Tokyo District Court settled the matter. Koto received the lion’s share, a hefty 79.3%. Ota, accepting the verdict, ended the four-decade feud. This paved the way for the island’s christening. In 2020, the western portion, nestled within Ota’s embrace, officially became Reiwajima. Interestingly, the eastern side, belonging to Koto, retained its familiar moniker, Sea Forest.
Reiwajima’s birth, however, predates its naming by almost half a century. Constructed in 1973 as part of the Central Breakwater, it began life as a receptacle for Tokyo’s waste. This waste, over time, coalesced into two artificial islands. These are known as the Inner and Outer Landfills. The combined area of these islands reached a staggering 377 hectares in 2011. Projections suggest they will eventually swell to almost three times that size, a colossal 989 hectares.
Reiwajima’s destiny intertwined with the grand stage of the 2020 Summer Olympics. The Inner Landfill, now part of Reiwajima, hosted the Sea Forest Cross-Country Course. This challenging course tested the mettle of equestrian athletes. Originally, the Outer Landfill was slated for the Sea Forest Mountain Bike Course. But plans shifted, moving the event to the mountainous terrain of Izu, Shizuoka. The waterway separating the two landfills, aptly named the Sea Forest Waterway, provided the perfect arena for rowing and kayaking competitions. And in the spirit of legacy, these Olympic venues have been repurposed. They now serve as recreational havens, open for all to enjoy. Reiwajima stands as a symbol of transformation. From a contested landfill to an Olympic venue and now a recreational space, it embodies the ever-evolving spirit of Tokyo.