Around Our Showroom in Tokyo - History and Temples
With the recent opening of our new showroom in Shirokane-Takanawa in Tokyo, our team has been spending more time in the surrounding neighborhood.
While Shirokane is often associated today with quiet streets, elegant residences, and pockets of greenery, its past reveals a much deeper and lesser-known history. As we begin a series of neighborhood guides, we wanted to start by sharing some of the historical and spiritual landmarks that shape this area.
Located in the southern part of Tokyo’s Minato ward, Shirokane is now known as one of the city’s most affluent residential districts. However, long before high-rise apartments and modern redevelopment, this area played an important role during the Edo period, serving as the site of major residences, temples, and later imperial land.
The Origins of Shirokane
The name Shirokane carries a distinctive resonance. Today, the kanji 白金 is commonly associated with platinum, but historically it referred to silver. One widely told origin story dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, when a powerful figure known as Shirokane Chōja, literally “the silver millionaire,” is said to have lived in the area. According to legend, his great wealth and land development efforts gave the district its name.
While historical records are limited and some elements remain anecdotal, the name Shirokane appears in documents as early as the mid-16th century. Over time, the area became home to large daimyo residences during the Edo period. In the Meiji era, much of this land was repurposed for imperial and military use, before eventually opening to the public and transforming into the residential neighborhood we recognize today.
Despite these changes, Shirokane has retained an unusually large amount of green space for central Tokyo. Institutions such as the Institute for Nature Study occupy land that once formed part of expansive estates, contributing to the calm and spacious atmosphere that still defines the area.
Temples Woven Into Daily Life
One of Shirokane’s defining features is the presence of historic temples embedded within its residential streets. These sites are not isolated landmarks but part of the everyday landscape, offering quiet moments of reflection and continuity.
Nearby Sengaku-ji (泉岳寺) Temple isperhaps the most widely known. Founded in the early 17th century,it is famous as the resting place of the 47 Ronin, whose story of loyalty continues to attract visitors throughout the year. Thetemple remains especially lively during the Ako Gishi festivals held in December and April.
Beyond Sengaku-ji, the area is home to several smaller temples, including Shojo-ji, Kakurin-ji, and Kōyasan Tokyo Betsuin. Each contributes to the neighborhood’s understated rhythm, reminding visitors that spiritual life has long been part of Shirokane’s identity.
Zuisho-ji Temple : A Place Where Past and Present Meet
Among these sites, Zuisho-ji Temple (瑞聖寺) stands out as a place we find particularly compelling. Founded in 1670, Zuisho-ji is Tokyo’s first temple of the Ōbaku sect of Zen Buddhism, introduced to Japan from China during the Edo period. Its main hall is a rare surviving example of Edo-period Buddhist architecture and is designated as a cultural property.
In recent years, Zuisho-ji has undergone a thoughtful renovation led by architect Kengo Kuma, commissioned to mark the temple’s 350th anniversary. Rather than altering the historical structures, the project focused on reimagining the surrounding spaces, including the priests’ quarters and communal areas.
The result is a subtle dialogue between old and new. Wooden elements, filtered light, and a courtyard with a shallow water feature creation atmosphere that feels open and contemporary, while remaining deeply respectful of the temple’s history and spatial logic.
The renewed layout encourages community use, events, and quiet gatherings, allowing the temple to continue functioning as a living place rather than astatic monument.
For us, Zuisho-ji captures something essential about Shirokane itself : a neighborhood where history is not hidden away, but gently integrated into modern life.
Beginning Our Neighborhood Guide
As we settle into Shirokane-Takanawa, discovering these layers of history has become part of our daily experience. This first guide offers just a glimpse into the area’s past, seen through its temples and evolving landscape.
In future posts, we will continue exploring the neighborhood from different perspectives, from gardens and walks to local spots that shape everyday life around our showroom.
Text by Katarina Mladenovicova