Shirokane

Overview

Shirokane is located in the southwestern part of Minato, Tokyo and one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Japan. It is a quiet residential area that is abundant in undeveloped green space. This area is known for having the most expensive real estate fees for living in Japan. Shirokane borders the neighborhoods of Minami-Azabu, Shirokanedai, Takanawa and Ebisu. The Prefectural Highway 305 (Ebisu-dori) divides Shirokane into odd-numbered (1, 3, 5-chōmes) and even-numbered (2, 4, 6-chōmes) subdistricts designated as industrial and high-rise residential areas, respectively. Small factories and shopping streets are developed along Furukawa river, and upon the southern hill a quiet residential area is developed with apartments and schools such as Seishin Joshi Gakuin. The recent opening of a subway allowed the area centered at Shirokane-Takanawa Station to undergo a large redevelopment.

There are forest areas owned by academic institutions and private companies such as Seishin Joshi Gakuin and the Kitasato Institute. With the Institute for Nature Study and the Institute of Medical Science in Shirokanedai, these areas form one of the largest green districts in the special wards of Tokyo. This large green area dates back to daimyō's mansions which existed in Edo period; later, industrialists made their residences in this place, which gave rise to the well-known upper-class neighborhood.

Etymology

During the Ōei era (1394–1428), a government official of the Southern Dynasty who settled here became wealthy. His nickname was Shirokane Chōja (白金長者), which means "man who possesses much 'white gold' " (白金), a reference to silver. Thus the name of this location is the "Silver District".

Education

Minato City Board of Education operates public elementary and junior high schools.

Shirokane 1 and 3-6 chōme and 2-chōme 1-5-ban are zoned to Shirogane-no-oka Gakuen (白金の丘学園) for elementary and junior high school. 2-chome 6-7 ban are zoned to Shirokane Elementary School (白金小学校) and Takamatsu Junior High School (高松中学校).

Upper secondary schools:

• Meiji Gakuin Senior High School

Colleges and universities:

• Meiji Gakuin University (明治学院大学)

Places

Slopes

• Shokkō-zaka (蜀江坂)
• Sanko-zaka (三光坂)
• Meiji-zaka (明治坂)

Gallery

Image:Queens Isetan 0005.jpg|The Queens Isetan Image:Kitasato Institute 23.jpg|Kitasato Institute Image:Shoko zaka.jpg|Shokkō-zaka Image:Meiji zaka 21.jpg|Meiji-zaka

References

References

5. "港区の町丁目別人口・世帯数（住民基本台帳に基づく） - 港区オープンデータカタログ".
6. (2019-11-10). "Shirokane Area Guide".
7. "港区立小・中学校通学区域一覧表（令和4年4月以降）". City of Minato.
8. "[http://www.meigaku.ed.jp/english Information]." [[Meiji Gakuin Senior High School]]. Retrieved on May 10, 2016. "Address 1-2-37 Shirokanedai Minato-ku, Tokyo 〒108-0071 Japan"