Mita, Minato, Tokyo


Mita is a district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It was once home to grand estates of several daimyo, and now is one of Tokyo's most expensive upscale residential districts; it is home to many artists, CEOs, and celebrities.
Mita is bordered by Higashi-Azabu on the north, Azabu-Jūban and Minami-Azabu to the west, and Shirokane and Takanawa to the south.
Mita is home to Keio University, Mita Hachiman Jinja, and the diplomatic missions of Kuwait, Italy, Hungary, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.

Geography

Mita consists of five chōme:
  • Mita 1-chōme and 5-chōme are low lands by Furu River and consist of a mix of both residential and commercial areas.
  • Mita 2-chōme, once known as 2=三田綱町, is on high, elevated land and is a historically wealthy part of Mita, once home to grand estates of several Daimyo. Some of these estates remain to this day: the Tsunamachi Mitsui Club, Australian Embassy, and Italian Embassy are all on former Daimyo estates.
  • Mita 3-chōme mostly consists of commercial buildings.
  • Mita 4-chōme consists of many historic temples.

Economy

The Yazaki Group has its corporate headquarters in the Mita-Kokusai Building in Mita.

Transportation

As a historically quiet, upscale, residential area, Mita does not have any train or subway stations within its borders. However, it is located near:

Notable places in Mita

Slopes

Many roads up to the Mita plateau have named slopes of historical significance. Each is marked by a wooden post which explains the name.
  • 2=聖坂 corresponds to the ancient 2=東海道. The slope's name changes between the top of 2=伊皿子坂 and the 2=二本榎通り.
  • 2=魚藍坂 is a hill road in Mita 4-chōme. It reaches the promontory from Gyoranzaka Crossing which results from the summit in Isaragozaka.
  • 2=桂坂 is a hill road which lies between Takanawa 2-chōme and 3-chōme. Its name possibly originates from the fact that ivy and vines historically covered the surface of this hill, though an alternate etymology says that a Buddhist priest who wore a wig died along this slope suddenly on a return trip from Shinagawa.
  • 2=石榴坂 is a hill road which crosses between Takanawa 3-chōme and 4-chōme. The street was probably named because there was a pomegranate tree in the middle of a slope a long time ago. The area has many hotels.
  • 2=蛇坂 is a slope which is in Mita 4-chōme.
  • 2=安全寺坂 is a hill road crossing between Mita 3-chōme and 4-chōme. The temple of Anzenji was built here in the Edo era.
  • 2=洞坂 is a hill road in Takanawa 3-chōme. It is alternatively called 2=法螺坂) and 2=鯔坂.
  • 2=日吉坂 is a hill road which forms the border of Shirokane 2-chōme and 4-chōme. It goes from Meguro-dori in the southwest to Sakurada-dori in the northeast, and goes past the 2=桑原坂 to the south. The name originates from the Noh actor Hiyoshi Kahei who lived nearby.

Shinto shrines and temples

In the early stages of the Edo period, the shōgun decided to extend Edo Castle and ordered temples around the castle to move to Mita. From this reason, there were many temples on the hill, especially in area named 2=寺町. Shrines in the district date back to the Asuka period or Heian period.

Parks

In the Edo period, Mita was home to the estates of daimyō. During the Meiji era, the estates were sold to high-ranking government officials and nobility. Today, some estates have been converted into public parks.
  • 2=三田台公園
  • 2=豊岡町児童遊園. Its former name is 2=豊岡公園.
  • * Children's park which exists in Mita 5-11-6 Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Its former name is 2=豊岡公園.
  • * Area:
  • * Nearby subway station: 2=白金高輪
  • * Although a swing, sandbox, launching platform, box type swing, and drinking fountain once existed here, all except the drinking fountain have been removed.

Embassies

Universities

Tertiary schools

Primary and secondary schools

Minato City Board of Education operates public elementary and junior high schools.
Mita 1–2 chōme are zoned to Akabane Elementary School, while Mita 3–5 chōme are zoned to Mita Elementary School. The entire district is zoned to Mita Junior High School.
Full list of primary and secondary schools:

Public libraries

Minato City Library operates Mita Library in nearby Shiba.