OSAKA — The Chikko Red Brick Warehouse in this city’s Minato Ward exudes an atmosphere that would make it blend naturally into the traditional streetscape of London or New York.
The vents from its days as a warehouse remain intact, with their colors faded, as seen in the city of Osaka’s Minato Ward, Feb. 19, 2026. (Mainichi/Masashi Mimura)=Click/tap photo for more images.
Constructed in 1923 by The Sumitomo Warehouse Co., the complex consists of four buildings characterized by their red brick walls and a series of trussed roofs. The exterior features a crane for moving containers and heavy sliding doors.
The building was a functioning warehouse until 1999, when it was retired after a logistics hub was moved away. After coming under the management of the Osaka Municipal Government, it was revived in 2015 as the Glion Museum, showcasing classic cars. Apart from seismic reinforcements, the walls and other structures apparently remain largely unchanged.
Currently, the museum preserves and displays about 80 iconic cars from Japan and abroad, including the Cadillac used in the movie “The Godfather,” a 1929 Phantom from the United Kingdom, and the Toyota 2000GT. Even those who are not car enthusiasts may find themselves awestruck. A museum representative proudly states, “Both the red brick warehouse and classic cars grow in value the longer they are used. They complement each other well.”
A restaurant is also attached, creating a sophisticated space where visitors can enjoy remnants of a bygone era.
(Japanese original by Masashi Mimura, Osaka Photo and Video Department)
Inside the warehouse, now used as a classic car exhibition space, a white line remains on the walls marking where the second floor used to be, as seen in the city of Osaka’s Minato Ward, Feb. 19, 2026. (Mainichi/Masashi Mimura)=Click/tap photo for more images.
* * *
The Japanese version of this article was originally published on March 8, 2026.
* * *
This series explores Japan’s architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
AloJapan.com