Root of the name – Roppongi

October 21st, 2011By Category: Culture

roppongi_crossroad

Ever wondered about names of areas in Tokyo? 

Roppongi was named around 1660 for six large pine tree use to mark the area. But another legend has it that the name comes from the fact that six “daimyo” (feudal lords) lived nearby during the Edo period, each with the kanji character for “tree” or a kind of tree in their names.  木 means “tree,”  the names of the “daimyo” were :   青木 (blue tree)、一柳 (one willow)、上杉 (upper cedar)、片桐 (half paulownia)、朽木(molding tree)、高木 (tall tree).

Roppongi Edo

Roppongi Edo by Hiroshige - courtesy of Hibiya library

Roppongi -1955-1965

Roppongi -1955-1965 - courtesy of Hibiya library

ropongi to tokyo tower

Ropongi to Tokyo tower - courtesy to Minato Ward History

 

Now, Roppongi is the one of biggest area in Tokyo, you will see world-leading companies based in Roppongi include:

  • Salesforce
  • Yahoo! Japan
  • Google Japan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roppongi

Author of this article

GaijinPot

GaijinPot is an online community for foreigners living in Japan, providing information on everything you need to know about enjoying life here, from finding a job and accommodation to having fun.

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