Aoyama (青山; lit: 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 is also the location of Japan's first municipal cemetery, Aoyama Reien, which was opened in 1872. Many noted foreigners are buried in the small foreign section of the cemetery, which is currently (2005) at risk of being cleared to make a park.

Famous non-Japanese buried at Aoyama Reien include the British minister plenipotentiary Hugh Fraser who died in the post in 1894, Captain Francis Brinkley, Guido Verbeck, Henry Spencer Palmer, Edoardo Chiossone, Joseph Heco, Julius Scriba and several others.

See also: Foreign cemeteries in Japan

Places in Aoyama

• Aoyama Twin
• President Hotel
• Spiral

Companies based in Aoyama

• Berlitz (Asia Headquarters)
• Itochu (Tokyo office)
• Honda Motor
• Sony Computer Entertainment
• Avex Trax
• Louis Vuitton Japan
• JCB

Subway stations

• Aoyama-itchome Station (Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, Toei Oedo Line)
• Omote-sando Station (Chiyoda Line, Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line)
• Gaienmae Station (Ginza Line)

References