Imoaraizaka, Sloping road in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan

Imoaraizaka is a slope in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, running from beside the Amand coffee shop at Roppongi Crossing down past the Roppongi Station post office and Asahi Shrine toward the area around Zepp Blue Theater Roppongi. A separate slope called Udonzaka starts behind the Azabu tax office and police station and merges into it.

The road's name dates to the Edo period, when vendors reportedly washed taro roots near this spot. As Roppongi developed into a modern entertainment district through the 20th century, the street gradually took on its current character.

The name Imoaraizaka has several proposed origins. One holds that taro was sold each autumn in front of Asahi Inari at the foot of the slope, as recorded in the Edo-period Shinshū Edo-shi. Another links "imo-arai" to prayers and water-washing rites for smallpox, once held at a Benzaiten along the slope.

The road is easy to reach on foot from Roppongi Station. The slope is noticeable, so comfortable shoes are a good idea if you plan to walk the full length.

The slope begins beside the Amand coffee shop at Roppongi Crossing and runs down past the Roppongi Station post office and Asahi Shrine. A separate slope, Udonzaka, starts behind the Azabu tax office and police station and merges into it; older records sometimes swap the two names.