coffee/bars food

Drinking with trains

The N3331 cafe/bar is one of the main attractions of the old Manseibashi train-platform station building. The old platform has been converted in this cafe/bar place, where you can have a coffee, lunch, drink or dessert. The name of the place is related to the rhythm of Edo-style ippon-jime, which is a kind of rhythmic hand clapping done at the end of special events. This name has nothing to do with Manseibashi or trains, but is related to the art centre that manages this place.

 
passing-train-night-b
Passing trains at night
 

Every 3 to 5 minutes, the Chuo-line trains pass on both sides of the cafe/bar from/to Kanda and Ochanomizu stations. You would expect that due to this constant traffic it is rather noisy up there, but that is not the case at all. You can hold a conversation in whispers with the trains zooming silently besides you. Of course, it will also depend on the other guests whether it will be loud or not. I have a feeling most visitors come for the views and focus less on conversation though. I have visited the place both during the day and at night and both times it was rather silent.

 
drinks-sherbet
Juice and watermelon sherbet (with little chunks of chocolate to resemble the seeds)
 

N3331 is on the second floor of the mAAch ecute shopping complex that opened in 2013. This shopping complex is inside of the renovated Manseibashi station platform building (the actual main Manseibashi station building was destroyed). The old Manseibashi Station opened in 1912 and closed in 1943 when other stations became more important. The food and drinks that is served here is rather simple, and inexpensive. Curry and sandwiches for lunch, and train-line themed salads for dinner. There is no table charge, so you can come up for just one drink. They have a nice sake selection as well.

 
entrance-day
Entrance during the day-time.
 

In practice

Very close to many stations: Akihabara, Ochanomizu, Shin-Ochanomizu, Kanda, Ogawamachi, Iwamotocho.

N3331 cafe/bar is very small, so be prepared to wait in line during peak times. Open Mon.-Sat. 11:00-23:00, Sun-holidays: 11:00-21:00.
Address: 1-25-4 Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, 101-0041 Tokyo

You will need to order at the entrance. English menu is available and the staff seems to be able to speak basic English as well.