Once a fire station now stands Ochabi Institute. This is a place of art and design. Ochabi Design and Art College is located in Tokyo. It stands in the Chiyoda-ku area. The college’s address is 2-3 Kandasurugadai.
Ochabi Institute is a professional training college. It provides qualifications to its students. These include a diploma and an advanced diploma. To be precise, the authority to award the titles is approved at the program level. Therefore, not all programs of this institution are approved to award the above titles.
The roots of Ochanomizu go back 200 years. It began as an academy started by the Edo shogunate. Ochanomizu is known for used books. It is also known for musical instruments and curry.
The name Ochanomizu means tea water. Centuries ago, a local well served the shogun’s family. Researcher Hasegawa Rei explains the history. Up until four centuries ago, this area was a large hill. The Kanda River was dug to protect the city. It also served as the outer moat of Edo Castle.
Yushima Seido is a temple that was built in 1690. It enshrines an ancient philosopher. The Edo Shogunate promoted Confucianism here.
The Orthodox cathedral, Nikolaido, was built in 1891. A Russian bishop named Nicholas built the cathedral. He spread the Orthodox faith in Japan.
Ochabi Institute stands in a vibrant area. It is a hub of learning. Many universities are located here. Meiji University is one of them. It was originally founded as a law school in 1881.
The area has many curry restaurants. Students could eat with one hand. They would read a book with the other.
Jimbocho is brimming with secondhand books. The streets are lined with bookstores. These shops buy and sell used textbooks. Kitazawa Ichiro owns a foreign language bookstore. He says people love bookstores. They enjoy searching for books.
Ochanomizu is also a town of musical instruments. There are many stores selling instruments. One store has an in-store workshop. Here, you can learn to make your own guitar.
One specialty instrument store sells accordions. It also sells harmonicas. The Singing Voice of Japan movement used accordions.
Ochabi Institute thrives in this environment. It is surrounded by culture and history. It provides a place for students to hone their craft.