Written by TRAVELER Luxe correspondent Liao Hongxin
On celebratory occasions, people clap three times in succession, then add one final clap, known as “Edo Ipponjime.” The closed school was reborn as an art space and community center, and since it was such a cause for celebration, it was apparently named 3331. That seems to be the story.
3331 Arts Chiyoda is an art space within the community, and its exhibits and merchandise have a warmer, more unpretentious feel compared to typical design products. (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe)
A traveler’s hidden gem
Originally a Rensei High School that was repurposed into an art center, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, like the IID Setagaya Hands-On School, accepts applications from art-related agencies and individual studios to set up residence. It also has many retail spaces and large exhibition areas. But unlike the Setagaya Hands-On School, 3331 places greater emphasis on community engagement. By offering accommodation and studio space to domestic and international artists, and regularly organizing exchange events, 3331 feels more like an arts village. “We want everyone who enters this space to be able to naturally connect with art. In fact, local residents visit very often. Our first-floor entrance is a public area where many moms bring their kids to chat, and there’s a play area planned by artists nearby. Office workers come here to browse independent publications, and in this way, art creation becomes naturally intertwined with everyday life,” explains Tomoko Takahashi, Coordinator and PR representative of 3331 Arts Chiyoda.
Artwork made by elementary school students affected by the 311 East Japan Earthquake, using tsunami debris. (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe)
In addition to opening up the space, 3331 also curates exhibitions and lecture programs aimed at preserving cultural heritage and revitalizing local identity for the community. Art is certainly a major focus, but courses exploring traditional landscapes, craftsmanship, and customs give 3331 a more regional character compared to other art spaces.
A play area designed for children by artists. (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe)
The exterior of 3331 still retains the look of a school. Upon entering, you’ll find a public space and retail area, with the Food Lab 3331 café to the right and exhibition spaces at the back. The first-floor exhibition hall was originally the cafeteria, so it has a spacious layout, although its former appearance is no longer visible. Perhaps inspired by the notion of a “school,” 3331 often leverages multimedia to explore the theme of “communication” in its exhibitions. For instance, during my visit, coinciding with the second anniversary of the 311 East Japan Earthquake, the special exhibition “Face to Face with Leaders of Tohoku Disaster Recovery” on the first floor featured dozens of large LCD screens. When you sit in front of these screens and put on the headphones, leaders from various fields involved in post-disaster reconstruction begin sharing their experiences and challenges. A school, as a confined space, possesses the quality of dissemination. This kind of exhibition expands the use of the space from mere instruction to real experience and interaction, redefining and broadening the function of the venue.
Special exhibition “Face to Face with Leaders of Tohoku Disaster Recovery.” (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe)
Art isn’t confined to the exhibition halls either: the dragon woven from colorful fabrics in the café, the small graffiti on the floors and glass, the artworks casually placed in the studios. From the beginning of the school’s transformation, the vision of a community art center was kept in mind—all classrooms were fitted with large transparent windows, making the interior setups and activities fully visible, turning the creators’ work-in-progress into a kind of daily performance. Of course, this was done with the consent of the tenants. Thanks to this performative aspect, resident creators and artisans also occasionally offer hands-on workshops, opening up another layer of exchange.
3331 still retains some remnants of its school days, such as the terrazzo sinks, inscriptions on mirrors, and the gymnasium. The rooftop basketball court has been converted into an urban farm, where a series of organic farming workshops are held. 3331 is more like a community arts and culture center where you can naturally engage with art, sign up for classes you enjoy, or just stop by for a coffee in the afternoon. Blending into a place like this is a rare luxury, even for travelers.
【Info】
Address: 6-11-14 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: The entire facility is open 10:00–21:00, last entry at 20:30, open year-round except for national holidays. First-floor exhibition hall: 12:00–19:00, last entry at 18:30, closed every Tuesday. Café: 11:30–21:00, closed every Tuesday.
Admission: Free. Exhibition fees vary depending on the organizer and content.
Website: www.3331.jp
Note: Some areas are off-limits to visitors, such as the rooftop farm. Please check the official website for details.
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