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Railway fans welcome! A historic station building turned into an artsy commercial facility! mAAch ecute KANDA MANSEIBASHI (Part 1)

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Manseibashi Station, located between Kanda and Ochanomizu station on Tokyo’s east and west connecting Chuo Line. After the station closed down, it was converted into a commercial facility called “mAAch ecute KANDA MANSEIBASHI”. In this beautiful red brick viaduct, there are many places that make the hearts of railway fans beat faster!

The stairs of the old station tell its story

The old Manseibashi Station is located right next to JR Akihabara Station. The building was completed in 1912. At that time, many buildings of the Japanese railway were built with red bricks in a European architecture style.

The former Manseibashi Station is impressive. Its vaulted viaducts and the Kanda River next to it scream for being photographed.
mAAch ecute KANDA MANSEIBASHI

You find architecture preserved from this period in the “1912 Stairs”, which was revealed to the public at the opening of mAAch ecute KANDA MANSEIBASHI.

The “1912 Stairs” really looks exactly like the stairs of Berlin train stations in Germany! Even the understated decorations are very European.
Here you can see mortar that rises slightly between the tiles. This is, in fact, a high-quality (and expensive) decoration called “Fukurinmeji”.

Manseibashi Station, which was once destroyed by a fire, was initially rebuilt based on the building’s foundations. In 1943, however, the station was closed.

The “1935 Stairs” at Manseibashi Station, were in use for only 7 years. They are slightly more modern than the ones of 1912.
Once, Manseibashi was a colorful business district with many shops that had settled around the station square. The model of Manseibashi station is really cute.

Let’s go to the platform!

As you climb the 1935 staircase, you will reach an observation deck with benches that you can visit for free. You are now on the former platform. From here, you can observe the orange Chuo Line trains passing by really close!

On the other side of the platform, you find the “Platinum Fish” restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while watching the passing trains through large windows.

The trains pass so close you feel that you could actually touch them. Luckily there is a protective glass between us!
Teatime with a delicious pecan pie.

mAAch ecute KANDA MANSEIBASHI is a great facility for railroad and architecture lovers like me. While keeping the historic atmosphere of the old train station, the building has been transformed into a modern and fashionable place. It’s absolutely worth a visit!

Next time, I’ll talk more about the shops and restaurants in “mAAch ecute KANDA MANSEIBASHI”. Stay tuned!

mAAch ecute KANDA MANSEIBASHI

https://www.ecute.jp/maach/
1-25-4 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/XzQMqUCAtUawQ9NP6
Nearest Stations: Akihabara Station, Kanda Station, Ochanomizu Station, Shin-Ochanomizu Station, Awajicho Station, Ogawacho Station, Iwamotocho Station

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