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Tennozu

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Updated: November 22, 2022

An artsy half-day trip on the waterfront at Tennozu Isle

Venture to this former industrial hub and warehouse district located on a 200,000-square-meter island in Tokyo Bay for a lazy afternoon of window shopping, art, architecture and design. Dotted with photogenic spots to snap for your memories and social media accounts, Tennozu Isle is one of Tokyo's lesser-known gems that you'll be pleased to become acquainted with.

General Tips

  • Check venue websites for opening schedules and note that the WHAT Museum is closed Mondays
  • Consider wearing extra layers at the WHAT Museum as temperatures are tightly controlled
  • Tennozu is a popular nighttime drinking and date spot, expect to make restaurant reservations in advance or be prepared to wait

Map Legend

  • Walking
  • Taxi
  • Bus
  • Train
  • Water Bus

1

Connecting the island to Haneda Airport, Shinjuku, and elsewhere

Tennozu Isle Station

The main transport hub for Tennozu Isle. It's split into two halves; one station for the Tokyo Monorail, and one for the Rinkai Line.

Walking5 mins

2

Model museum of architectural minutiae

WHAT Museum

Leaving Tennozu Isle Station on either the Tokyo Monorail or Rinkai Line, head to Yamate Street for the WHAT Museum. It's only appropriate that you pass Pigment on the way; inspired by bamboo, this visually arresting art supplies store is designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma and Associates. The WHAT Museum, a museum devoted to architectural models, lies just beyond. Its two exhibition halls contain work by Japanese and foreign architects working in Japan, such as Kengo Kuma and Shigeru Ban, and work by architectural design offices. You'll see early versions of the models, as well as the finished article. The theme changes frequently, so enjoy the museum's educational, moving, and enjoyable exhibits. (*The models on display change in accordance with the exhibition theme. Please visit the museum's website for more information.)

Walking1 min

3

Tennozu Isle's colorful and intriguing shopping street

BOND Street

BOND Street is the perfect spot for an urban art walk. Once upon a time, this street used to be home to bonded warehouses, where maritime customs officials kept goods until the appropriate fees were paid. Today, it's a photogenic shopping and cultural hub, lined with cafes, shops, and galleries. The street is decorated with colorful artwork, including large murals.

Walking1 min

4

A much-loved bakery inside a renovated waterfront warehouse

breadworks TENNOZ

The building housing breadworks has been used as a warehouse, an office space, and even a theater. In 2010, it was transformed into a cafe and bakery, which serves sandwiches, cakes, and drinks from morning until night. Their bread is made daily, from scratch. It's an airy space with plenty of seating, including an outdoor waterfront terrace.

Walking1 min

5

An unusual pedestrian bridge that comes alive at night

Tennozu Fureai Bridge

This is a short pedestrian bridge at the end of Bond Street, linking Tennozu Isle with Konan Park. It has an interesting, antiquated look that's transformed at night, when the bridge is illuminated with dozens of lights. They reflect off the surface of the water, making this a very photogenic spot that appears frequently in movies and TV shows.

Walking1 min

6

Alfresco dining at its finest

Dining in style at a waterfront restaurant

The sea breeze is encouraging your appetite, it's time to head to one of Tennozu Isle's many waterfront restaurants for some seaside dining. T.Y. HARBOR, specializing in craft beer and contemporary American cuisine, is a local favorite but there are plenty of other options.

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