Shirokanedai

Shirokanedai (白金台) is a district of Minato, Tokyo. The district today is made up of 5 "chome". As of November 1, 2007, the population of Shirokanedai is 10,001. Its postal code is 108-0071.

The former neighborhood of Shirokanedai (Shirokanedaimachi, 白金台町) consisted only of very narrow area along Meguro-dori (Tokyo Prefectural Route 312) and the former imperial estate called Shirokane Goryochi. This article deals with both the former Shirokanedaimachi and today's Shirokanedai.

Overview

Located at the southwestern end of Minato, the neighborhood of Shirokanedai lies between Ebisu, Kami Ōsaki and Higashi Gotanda on the west, Takanawa on the east, and Shirokane on the north. Shopping amenities and apartment buildings are densely spread along Meguro-dori, Gaien Nishi-dori and Sakurada-dori; however, most in Shirokanedai are quiet residential areas. Shirokanedai remains abundant in natural green space, for historically Shirokanedai-cho was home to the former imperial estate called Shirokane Goryochi (now the Institute for Nature Study and the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum are located) and several national institutions such as the former Institute of Public Health and the former Insititute of Infectious Diseases (now the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo). Later, Shirokanedai came to be considered as one of the most upmarket residential areas in Tokyo, and women resident there — stereotypically wealthy, idle and fashion-conscious — are jocularly referred to as "shiroganeeze" (シロガネーゼ), an imitation of Milanese for residents of Milan. The most famous street in this area is Gaien Nishi-dori, popularly known as Platinum Street, a sort of local equivalent of the prestigious Via Montenapoleone in Milan. The restaurants in this street are very popular for wedding ceremonies.

Places

hirokanedai 1-chome

*Meiji Gakuin University
*Kakurin-ji (Seishoko)
*Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo
*Happo-en (Former Kuhara Fusanosuke Residence)

hirokanedai 2-chome

*Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art
*Takanawadai Station

hirokanedai 3-chome

*Zuisho-ji

hirokanedai 4-chome

*The former Institute of Public Health
*The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
*Shirokanedai Station

hirokanedai 5-chome

*The Institute for Nature Study, National Science Museum
*Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
*Matsuoka Museum of Art