List of Tokyo's Hills

Name Origins

There is quite a variety of origins for the different names of the slopes in Tokyo.

Often the names date back to the past when the surrounding area carried a different name, e.g. before land consolidation, or before being incorporated into the larger, more modern administrative area. Examples are Semizaka in Ota Ward, ...

Sometimes the names of a slope are hinting at the primary use for that particular road in the past, e.g. describing a major connecting trade route in Edo Period, a one-way street for horse carriages, etc. Such examples can be found in Tokyo's 23 inner wards (Ushinakizaka) as well as e.g. in Ota Ward (...).

Other slopes bear the names of famous citizens that used to live nearby and often contributed to that particular area in some form (Hiyoshizaka, Minato Ward).

Another frequently encountered type of name origin is connected to well-known institutions such as famous old Samurai residences (Tangozaka, Minato Ward), hotels, botanical gardens, etc. (Meikozaka, Yakuenzaka, both Minato Ward).

Occasionally the slopes' names would be of somewhat more peculiar origin. One such example is Ushinakizaka (Minato Ward). According to the official description, in the past the road surface was so bad that cattle pulling carts along the road would be screaming from the pain and exhaustion, hence the name screaming cattle slope.

References to plant and tree names are also not uncommon. Hinokizaka in today's Tokyo Midtown is one such example. Hinoki - or cypress - is a reference to one of the former Edo period samurai estates in this area, formerly called Akasaka Hinokicho, which boosted a large amount of Japanese cypress trees. The estate was later transformed into today's 10 acre Hinokicho Park.

Chiyoda Ward

• (Sannouzaka)
  

Minato Ward

• Minato Ward
• Zakurozaka
• Hiyoshizaka
• (Meikouzaka)
• (Tenjinzaka)
• Yakuenzaka
• (Ipponmatsuzaka)
• (Kurayamizaka)
• (Daikokuzaka)
  
• Tangozaka
• Ushinakizaka
• Hinokizaka
• (Kasumizaka)
• (Inarizaka)
• (Toriizaka)
• (Hiyoshizaka)
• (Nittouzaka)
  
  

  Ota Ward

• Kurumazaka
• Roushizaka
• Kyuzaka
• Dorikonozaka
• (Kounosuzaka)
• (Usudazaka)
• (Hachimanzaka)
• (Fujimizaka)
• (Inarizaka)
• (Shinmeizaka)
• (Miyamaezaka)
• (Teragounozaka)
• (Umazaka)
• (Semizaka)
  

Meguro Ward

• Besshozaka
• Teppizaka
• (Ishikozaka)

Bunkyo Ward

• Shinzaka
• Ushizaka
  

The district of Akasaka holds seven slopes that bear distinct names, hinting at what life in ancient Tokyo was like, but the total number of slopes in the Akasaka district is actually much higher. In fact the district name itself translates into red slope, and this part of Tokyo indeed has many literal ups and downs.

A long time ago the water of Tokyo Bay actually reached all the way to the elevated area of Akasaka, and middens have been found in this area, holding sea shells which – among other domestic waste – had been dumped here. Akasaka used to be a city or ward on its own from 1878 until 1947, and is now part of Minato-ku (Minato City).

Tangozaka (丹後坂)

Presumably opened in 1688 and one of Akasaka's oldest named slopes. At the time on the northeastern side was the Yonekura Tangonokami residence (米倉丹後守, also known as Nishio Tangonokami 西尾丹後守). Yonekura was a famous samurai and military commander from the 16th century, Japan's so-called Sengoku period (戦国時代), or Age of Warring States.

Yonekura Shigetsugu (his family name, as opposed to Tangonokami being his military title) was a retainer of Takeda Shingen.

This rather steep slope also formed the border between former Tangocho and Hitotsugicho towns. Today a staircase connects the low-lying backalleys of Akasaka with the higher areas neighboring Aoyama-Dori.

Ushinakizaka (牛鳴坂)

This slope is part of Atsugidori, connecting Akasaka with Aoyama. In the past cattle was used to pull carts along the road, which was notorious for its bad road surface that made the cattle squeal, hence the name “Slope where the cattle squeal”. It is also known as Saikachizaka.

Before today's Aoyamadori was completed, the road was known as Oshu-do in the Kamakura period, then as Atsugi-kaido in the Edo period, where it served as a major back road to the Tokaido (as the main transportation road into Edo), used to transport goods into Edo. Edo's commoners also used this road when visiting Oyama Afuri Shrine in Atsugi (west of Yokohama). The slope was apparently also known as “Saikachizaka” (さいかち坂), Saikachi being a Japanese tree.

There are two architectural gems nearby; one being a recreation of the xx century Feudal Palace Gate (武家屋敷門) not far from the marker, and the other one being the modern home to Japanese confectionery maker Toraya.

(There actually is another Saikachizaka in Shinagawa-ku, forming part of the Nakahara-Kaido near Hatanodai.)

Sources

• http://akasaka-guide.jugem.jp/?cid=19
• http://akasaka-guide.jugem.jp/?eid=34
• https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B1%B3%E5%80%89%E4%B8%B9%E5%BE%8C%E5%AE%88
• http://www.city.shinagawa.tokyo.jp/PC/kankyo/kankyo-doro/kankyo-doro-saka/kankyo-doro-saka-saikachi/index.html

Hinokizaka (檜坂)

The area formerly known Akasaka Hinokicho town featured many old samurai residences in the past. This slope is adjacent to the 10 acre Hinokicho Park, one of these former samurai estates, owned by the Mouri clan, which boosted a large amount of Japanese cypress – or Hinoki – trees in Edo period. Later part of the land was first owned by the Japanese army, then by the US occupational forces, before it was returned to Japan in 1962.

After the Japan Defense Agency abandoned the site in 2000, major urban revitalization activities commenced, and today the mixed-use development complex of Tokyo Midtown, completed in 2007, is looming high above this neighborhood (Midtown Tower, at 248m and housing the Ritz-Carlton hotel, temporarily was Tokyo's tallest building, now ranking second).

It is worth noting that to the northwest of the foot of Hinokizaka slope another hill is nearly as much as 28m above sea level, making for a very hilly terrain and some intriguing vistas.

Sources

• https://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/kyouikucenter/kodomo/kids/machinami/saka/53.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C5%8Dri_clan
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Midtown

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Kasumizaka (霞坂) | Photos

106-0031東京都港区西麻布

Inarizaka (稲荷坂) | Photos

Ota Ward (大田区)

Kurumazaka (車坂), Ikegami

The name Kurumazaka appears in official maps and records as early as 1781. Since carts for transporting goods came into use already in Edo period, it is believed that this is how the slope got its name.

Kurumazaka lies to the west of the main road – Omotesando – that leads to Ikegamihonmonji (池上本門寺) temple's main entrance, formed by a long staircase and providing access to the elevated temple grounds. From certain points in the temple grounds one can see the station complex of Omori, buildings to the west in Kawasaki, and as far as Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree.

Roushizaka (朗子坂)

Roushizaka is a steep, winding staircase to the east of the temple's main entrance, connecting the elevated temple grounds with the street level below, and passing through part of the temple's graveyard. It ends next to a citizens' ward hall with the same name.

It was named after Nichirou, one of the disciples of Nichiren (13th century) who dwelled in a small cottage nearby and climbed these stairs on a daily basis for more than 30 years to worship Nichiren.

Sources

• https://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/midokoro/spot/ootaku_sakamichi/ikegami/kuruma_zaka.html
• https://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/midokoro/spot/ootaku_sakamichi/ikegami/roushi_zaka.html

Kyuzaka (急坂)

As the name suggests, Kyuzaka is a considerably steep slope in Denenchofu, almost due west from Denenchofu station, near the border with Setagaya. It is also referred to as Gochome no Kyuzaka (五丁目の急坂) and serves as a local landmark.

Kyuzaka is located in a quiet and high-class neighborhood, connecting the elevated area to the north with the banks of the Tamagawa river - Tokyo prefecture's border with Kawasaki. This slope is actually only one of many narrow roads leading down to the river, and the neighborhood makes for some nice city walks.

Sources

• http://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/midokoro/spot/ootaku_sakamichi/denenchoufu_minemachi/kyuu_zaka.html

Dorikonozaka (どりこの坂)

This surely must be one of the more peculiar namings for any slope in Tokyo - according to the inscription on the slope marker, a natural physician who owned land nearby the slope had developed a drinking water beverage called dorikono in early Showa period (1926-1989); hence the name. Until then the slope apparently had a rather mundane name: Ikeyamanozaka (池山の坂).

Sources

• http://www.tokyosaka.sakura.ne.jp/ota-dorikonosaka.htm

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Kounosuzaka (鴻の巣坂), Kamiikedai (上池台) | Photos

http://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/midokoro/spot/ootaku_sakamichi/yukigaya/kounosu_zaka.html

Usudazaka (臼田坂), Ebaramachi (荏原町) | Photos

http://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/midokoro/spot/ootaku_sakamichi/magome/usuda_zaka.html

Hachimanzaka (八幡坂), Nakaikegami (仲池上) | Photos

http://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/midokoro/spot/ootaku_sakamichi/yukigaya/hachiman_zaka.html

Fujimizaka (富士見坂)？？ | Photos

Meguro Ward (目黒区)

Besshozaka (別所坂)

Besshozaka is situated in Meguro ward, roughly halfway between Nakameguro and Ebisu stations. It's a long, steep, and winding road connecting the elevated northeastern area of Meguro ward, adjacent to Shibuya ward, with the valley of Meguro river. It passes through Nakameguro 1 and 2chome all the way down to Denrakubashi, spanning the Meguro river.

Meguro river, looking south from Denrakubashi

The slope presumably got its name from a place called Bessho at the lower end of the slope. In Edo period citizens used this slope as a shortcut to get from the Azabu area to leisure spots for picnics and outings in and around Meguro. While today the slope passes through a dense neighborhood, this used to be a densely forested area in pre-war times, and the area west of Meguro river was largely made up of rice paddies and the occasional watermill.

In 1819, the upper end of Besshozaka was made into a small artificial hill, offering splendid views of Mt. Fuji, and therefore became itself known as Meguroshinfuji. The hill was demolished in 1959, and today the high-rise buildings around nearby Nakameguro crossing are mostly blocking the views of Mt. Fuji.

Sources

• http://www.city.meguro.tokyo.jp/gyosei/shokai_rekishi/konnamachi/michi/saka/tobu/bessho.html
• http://www.city.meguro.tokyo.jp/gyosei/shokai_rekishi/konnamachi/michi/rekishi/tobu/fuji.html

Teppizaka (鉄飛坂)

Teppizaka is a slope in the southwestern part of Meguro. It runs through a quiet neighborhood, following the border between Tairamachi (Hiramachi???) and Okayama in a west-easterly direction, starting at the Nomikawa bridge and the promenade of the same name. It is also roughly halfway located between Okayama station (Meguro line) in the south and Toritsudaigaku station (Toyoko line) in the north.

On a side note, the Nomikawa green promenade resulted from filling up the former Nomikawa river by 1976. The river used to run through Ota ward and empty right in front of Showajima into Tokyo harbor, near Haneda airport located in the southeast.

While there are multiple explanations for the rather unusual name of this slope, the most commonly accepted one seems that teppi stems from teppen, describing the top of a mountain. It is believed that in ancient Japan estates in an elevated location were sometimes called teppi, hence the name.

However, there are other alternatives: that the name of the slope may also derive from a Portuguese called Teppios who used to live here, or ...

Sources

• http://www.city.meguro.tokyo.jp/gyosei/shokai_rekishi/konnamachi/michi/saka/seibu/teppi.html

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Ishikozaka (石古坂)、Rinshi no mori koen | Photos

Bunkyo Ward (文京区)

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Shinzaka (新坂) | Photos