Shirokane Area Guide

Contents

• Location
• Key Stats
• Orientation Around the Station
• Livability
• Short History
• Useful Info at a Glance
• Shirokane Apartments

Location

Centrally located in southern Minato Ward, the affluent neighborhood of Shirokane is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in all of Tokyo. Surrounding neighborhoods like Meguro and Ebisu to the west, Minami-Azabu to the north, and Takanawa to the east are also all renowned for having an upper-class residential vibe. Shirokane itself is quite famous among Tokyoites for incorporating a large amount of undeveloped green space within the city.

Key Stats

Average Rent in Shirokane

Apartments For Rent in Shirokane

Train Lines

JR/Subway/Other	Line
Toei	Mita
Tokyo Metro	Namboku

For the purposes of this article we are using Shirokane-Takanawa Station.

Accessibility

Orientation Around the Station

There are four exits at Shirokane-Takanawa Station.

• Exit 4 is convenient for getting to Shirokane Aer City. Here you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants. This is also the station closest to Shirokane Tower luxury apartments.
• Exit 3 pops out to ground level just south of Exit 4.
• Exit 2 is on the northeast corner of the station. It’ll bring you close to a few office buildings, making it primarily used by commuters and residents.
• Exit 1 will take you to the Minato Ward Takanawa Community Centre.

And there are only two exits at Shirokanedai Station.

• Exit 1 is situated at the west end of the station. It’s close to the Platinum Don Quijote and trendy shops along Meguro-dori and Platinum-dori. You’ll also want to use this exit if you’re heading toward the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum or Institute for Nature Study.
• Exit 2 can be found on the east end of the station. Use this exit to get to the Minato City Local History Museum or Shirokanedai Post Office.

Livability

Even though there are many ritzy neighborhoods like Minami Azabu, Hiroo, and Roppongi, all within Minato Ward, the neighborhood of Shirokane stands out above the rest for its unique charm of incorporating green space with luxurious residential living in the city center. Wrap all of this up with designer boutiques and trendy cafes along Meguro-dori and Platinum-dori and you’ve got Shirokane in a nutshell.

Shirokane Aer City

Shirokane Aer City is an urban renewal project that was completed in 2005. The area this business complex is located in is highly sought-after real estate in the heart of Minato Ward. There are various shops and boutiques, along with an upscale grocery store in the complex. A Queen’s Isetan department store is also in the vicinity, but as of November 2019 it is undergoing renovations and not open to the public.

Additional Redevelopment

There are plans to complete two new high-rise apartment buildings around Shirokane Aer City in the near future. These include a 40-story building (tentative completion in 2025) west of Shirokane Aer City and a 45-story building (tentative completion in 2022) to the northeast. These large apartment buildings will add over 2,000 apartment units to the Shirokane skyline.

Platinum Don Quijote

While Don Quijote stores can be found all around Tokyo, Shirokane is home to a uniquely designed version of this popular chain. If you’ve ever stepped foot inside a Don Quijote store, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the seemingly never-ending rows of products. Don Quijote stores are (in)famous for having practically everything you could need at discount prices. However, the Platinum Don Quijote in Shirokane caters towards a different clientele: the upper-class residents of Shirokane. The store is less intimidating than others, and has more to offer in terms of foodstuffs and groceries compared to other Don Quijotes.

Shiroganese

The affluent neighborhood has spawned a stereotype dubbed “Shiroganese,” a homage to “Milanese.” Not referring to the chicken dish, this Milanese evokes images of trendy Milan: the cafes, luxury brands, and slightly carefree attitude. The word was coined in 1998 when a magazine used it to describe housewives in the Shirokane area who spend the day eating at fancy restaurants and spending money on name-brand goods.

Institute for Nature Study

This is a large nature preserve in the middle of Tokyo. There are a huge variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses that create different scenes of nature depending on the season. It’s a great place to take a stroll for those who are looking for a relaxing respite from the concrete jungle of Tokyo. There is an admission fee for adults (¥320), but high-schoolers and younger can enter for free.

Eating

In line with the trendy, fashionable vibe that Shirokane commands, you’ll find many equally stylish restaurants in the area. Albero Nero is an authentic Italian restaurant that fits the neighborhood perfectly. Or try Sushi Imamura when you’re in the mood for high-class sushi. If you’re looking for a quick bite, it’s hard to beat the comforting taste of bagels at Maruichi Bagel. There’s a wide variety of restaurants and cafes in the area, and although there’s a tendency for dining options in the area to err on the side of pricy, there are budget eateries here and there in Shirokane as well.

Short History of Shirokane

The name Shirokane is written in Japanese as 白金, the combination of the characters of “white” and “gold.” The area ended up with this name thanks to a nickname. Back in the Oei period (1394 -1498) a wealthy government official resided in the area. The official’s nickname was Shirokane Choja (“man who possesses an abundance of white gold”; at the time this would most likely refer to silver), and thus the area became known as Shirokane.

Useful Info at a Glance

Supermarkets

*This is just a selection of supermarkets in the area.

Gyms

*These are just examples of gyms available in the area.

Universities

Ward Office, Police, Library

Hospitals/Clinics

*These are examples of hospitals/clinics in the area.

Parks

Family-Friendly Features

Shirokane Apartments

Apartments for rent near Shirokane:

• Shirokane-Takanawa Station apartments
• Shirokanedai Station apartments
• Hiroo Station apartments
• Azabujuban Station apartments
• Takanawadai Station apartments
• Meguro Station apartments

Shirokane’s beautiful, clean streets in the middle of Tokyo attract many looking for a place to call home in Tokyo. Similar to nearby neighborhoods like Minami-Azabu and Hiroo, many foreign residents have taken up residence in this wealthy part of Tokyo. This is in part due to the excellent English speaking services offered in the area, and also due to the international schools close by.

Apartments For Rent in Shirokane

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