From Manseibashi Arches to mAAch ecute: A Food and Design Revival

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photo ©   Seungbong Lee   [/caption]

On the edge of Akihabara (electronics' town), overlooking the Kanda River, lies mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi — one of Tokyo’s most creative reuse projects.

Originally built as Manseibashi Station in 1912, this station was closed in 1943 but was wonderfully revitalised in 2013 as a shopping and cultural hub.  The beautifully restored red-brick viaduct, with its arches, now features a lively mix of young designers and artisans offering fashion, housewares, restaurants, cafés, and bakeries.  Visitors can also enjoy an Observation Deck, a cosy library, and a detailed scale model of the original station, along with the surrounding Kanda area, giving a glimpse of its impressive history.

Compared to the neon chaos of Akihabara, the atmosphere here is calm and measured.  Brick arches, river views, and vaulted ceilings make it ideal for wandering and, importantly, for stopping at the Hitachino's Nest Brewing Lab, a microbrewery serving many life-affirming beers.

mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi 
(81) 33.257.8910 
1-25-4, Kandasudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0041, Japan 
www.ecute.jp/maach/about.html