Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo

Aoyama (青山 Aoyama, "Blue Mountain") is a neighborhood of Tokyo, located in the northeastern Minato Ward. During the Edo Period, Aoyama was home to various temples, shrines, and samurai residences. The name Aoyama derived from a samurai named Aoyama Tadanari who served the Tokugawa Shogunate and held his mansion in this area. Today, along with Shibuya and Harajuku, it is one of the most popular entertainment and shopping areas for young people in Tokyo. It is well known for its fashion houses, restaurants, and shopping. Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium is in the North part of Aoyama.

Aoyama municipal cemetery

Aoyama dori Omotesanto intersection

Aoyama is also the location of Japan's first municipal cemetery, Aoyama Reien, which was opened in 1872. The cemetery is famous for its cherry blossoms, and at the season of hanami, many people visit.

Famous Japanese people buried here include General Nogi Maresuke, a war hero who joined his leader in death by committing suicide when Emperor Meiji died in 1912. Many noted foreigners are buried in the small foreign section of the cemetery, which was at risk of being cleared to make a park in 2005, but has since been preserved by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. [1]

Famous non-Japanese buried at Aoyama Reien include:

One of the cemetery's most famous graves is that of Hachikō, the dutiful dog whose statue adorns Shibuya Station.

Places in Aoyama

Companies and organizations based in Aoyama

Avex Group's Headquarters
Comme des Garçons main branch in Aoyama.

Subway stations

References

  1. "The Foreign Section Trust". Archived from the original on 9 May 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-18. formed in 2005 to preserve the foreign section of Aoyama cemetery in Tokyo
  2. Avex Group Holdings, Inc. Company Outline. Avex Group Holdings, Inc. "3-1-30, Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8577"
  3. Corporate Info Four Seeds Corporation
  4. Chevalier, Michel (2012). Luxury Brand Management. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-17176-9.

Coordinates: 35°40′19″N 139°43′23″E / 35.672°N 139.723°E