1.
Roppongi; Tokyo's nightlife and international quarter
A district in Minato Ward long associated with clubs, bars, and foreign residents, thanks to nearby embassies. Since the opening of Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown it has also become a centre for art museums and high-end offices, so the name now suggests both partying and money.
Written "six trees" (六 + 本 + 木); several stories explain the name, none confirmed.
Common expressions
- 六本木ヒルズ: Roppongi Hills, the landmark tower complex
- 六本木交差点: the Roppongi crossing, the district's centre
- 六本木で遊ぶ: to go out partying in Roppongi
- 六本木アートトライアングル: the three museums promoted together as an art circuit
Cultural note
Saying someone works or lives in 六本木 can imply wealth or a flashy lifestyle. The "Hills族" label for the tech entrepreneurs who moved into Roppongi Hills in the 2000s is still used, half-admiringly and half-mockingly, for the nouveau riche.