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Earlier this year, we shared news about a restaurant in Tokyo where you can dine between the train tracks of the busy Chuo Line. One of our Japanese-language reporters finally got the chance to visit the location for himself, and we’d like to share his thoughts about getting up close and personal with some trains!

Cafe & Bar N3331 is the name of the restaurant where you can experience the thrill of enjoying a meal while watching passing trains from the city’s closest vantage point. Functioning as a cafe by day and a bar by night, it was built directly on top of the platform of former Manseibashi Station, which was in active use between 1912-1943. The restaurant is also part of the new mAAch shopping center located between Ochanomizu Station and Kanda Station on the JR Chuo Line, and is only a five-minute walk from Akihabara Station.

▼ The red brick exterior of the mAAch shopping center is reminiscent of older days.

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▼ Our destination was the “N3331 Cafe & Bar.”

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▼ Walking up the former Manseibashi Station’s stairs, which were originally constructed over 100 years ago, was a surreal experience in itself.

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When our reporter arrived at the cafe, the server took his order at the entrance before he went to find a seat. The establishment is long, narrow, and is indeed sandwiched between two rails of the JR Chuo Line, giving diners the sensation of actually relaxing on a train station platform.

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The seating area is composed of two parts–a main cafe area with nothing but window-walls and an outdoor open-air terrace area. Both areas offer unparalleled views of passing trains while you feel as if you’re waiting for a train yourself. However, unlike a typical daily commute when you’re pressed for time, this place offers you the chance to enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the platform with food and drinks.

▼ The main cafe seating in the foreground and the outdoor terrace in the background

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▼ Check out the Chuo Line’s distinctive orange stripes zooming by!

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▼ You can’t get much closer to a moving train than this.

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Now let’s move along to everyone’s favorite topic–food. Our Japanese reporter visited N3331 at approximately 3 p.m., and though the restaurant has a full menu of food and drinks, he took the server’s suggestion and ordered the daily cake set, which is only offered between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. On this particular day the daily special was a moist, delectable sweet potato cake.

▼ The scrumptious cake set for 700 yen (US$5.71)

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Upon learning that alcohol was served during the day, he also promptly ordered a beer. After all, what better way to celebrate getting up close and personal with some trains than with a cold one?

▼ Hitachino Nest Amber Ale for 800 yen ($6.52)

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In fact, just as he was enjoying a sip of his amber ale, he suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of a train approaching. He quickly jumped up to stand near the glass and was amazed to see the train cars zooming by at such a short distance, close enough to see many of the passengers’ faces clearly.

▼ It looks like a scene out of a movie, actually.

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▼ “Ah, I should make a habit of this!”

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So what’s the bottom line? Our reporter comments that everything about his trip to N3331 was fantastic, from the food and drinks to the experience of watching passing trains up-close. He would also love to visit the restaurant later at night, since the ambiance of the bar is probably a completely different experience. Anyone feel like accompanying him on his next excursion?

Restaurant information
N3331
Address: 1-25-4 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo-to
東京都千代田区神田須田町1-25-4
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (last order: 10:30 p.m.), Sunday & holidays 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (last order: 8:30 p.m.)
Website

Images ©RocketNews24
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