WHAT MUSEUM

In short

WHAT MUSEUM is a museum in Tennozu operated by Warehouse TERRADA, offering an experience unique to a warehousing company. It transforms warehouse spaces into places to encounter contemporary art and architecture. It opened in December 2020.

• ​Displaying stored artworks​​: It introduces works entrusted to Warehouse TERRADA by artists and collectors, connecting the storage and exhibition of artwork.
• ​Architectural model storage​​: It preserves more than 800 architectural models entrusted by architects and design offices, opening a portion of them to the public inside the warehouse space.
• ​The center of an art city​​: As a hub for Tennozu, an international art city, it transmits art and culture from within a warehouse space.

History and Highlights

​WHAT MUSEUM​ is a museum operated by Warehouse TERRADA in Tennozu, Shinagawa City. As a facility unique to a warehouse company, it transforms warehouse spaces into venues for encountering contemporary art and architecture.

The name WHAT stands for "WareHouse of Art Terrada." This name embodies the cultural value that shines quietly within the warehouse. It opened on December 12, 2020, as a collectors' museum of contemporary art. The concept at the time of opening was "opening up the warehouse to take a peek at art that is not usually seen."

Exhibits include two-dimensional and three-dimensional art, architectural models, photographs, video, literature, and installations. It also introduces works entrusted to Warehouse TERRADA by artists and collectors, linking the storage and display of artwork with a place for exchange. Serving as a hub for the international art city of Tennozu, it forms the core of the local art community.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Rotating exhibitions​​: A variety of expressions are exhibited, ranging from two-dimensional and three-dimensional works to photography, video, and installations. Encountering works entrusted by collectors is another experience unique to a warehouse company's museum.
• ​Architectural model storage​​: More than 800 architectural models entrusted by architects and design offices are stored here, and a portion of them are open to the public inside the warehouse. These architectural models are valuable materials that offer a glimpse into the architects' ideas, thoughts, and the process of constructing buildings.
• ​Hands-on experience space​​: On March 8, 2025, an experiential space was added to the architectural model storage area. Special exhibitions featuring architectural models, workshops, and talk events are held here, serving as a venue where visitors can interact directly with architects and specialists.

Walking Tips

It is about a 4-minute walk from Exit B of Tennozu Isle Station on the Rinkai Line, and about a 5-minute walk from Tennozu Isle Station on the Tokyo Monorail. On the official WHAT MUSEUM app, you can use the audio guide for the exhibitions and also listen to audio guides for some of the outdoor art pieces in the Tennozu area. After your visit, with the app in hand, take a walk along the canal of Tennozu Isle, about 300 meters to the northeast. Also located in Higashi-Shinagawa 2-chome is PIGMENT TOKYO, which specializes in painting materials. Walking about 580 meters to the west brings you to Shinagawa-shuku on the Old Tokaido road.