Japan is often associated with iconic visuals — from the mighty Mount Fuji and Kyoto’s golden Kinkaku-ji to its anime, manga, and neon-lit cityscapes. But for people who have been here, there’s a whole other sensory way to experience the country: Sounds you’ll hear in Japan.
Despite a general custom of not taking up a lot of physical or aural space, Japan can be surprisingly noisy. Spend some time shopping, working, or just sightseeing, and you’ll quickly notice it. Keep reading for a guide to some everyday Japanese sounds, what they mean, and what you should do when you hear them.
Unique Siren Sounds
Japan has several distinct siren sounds depending on the emergency vehicle. Police cars produce a slow wail; fire trucks have an even slower, deeper wail; and ambulances make a characteristic pii-pou-pii-pou sound. Emergency vehicles often have someone inside using a loudspeaker to instruct pedestrians and drivers to move aside. In recent years, complaints about noise pollution have led some cities to experiment with lower-tone sirens that are less harsh on the ears.
- What you do: Stay clear and make way.
- Where you hear it: Everywhere
Crosswalks and Walking Signals
Besides being charming — or infuriating, depending on your stance — crosswalk chimes help visually impaired people cross safely when the pedestrian light turns green (bluish-green, technically). Typically, north-south crossings make a pi-yo-pi-yo sound (like baby chicks), while east-west ones use a kakko sound (a type of wooden clapper). Some crossings even play Toryanse, a traditional children’s song about safe passage.
- Where you hear it: Many crosswalks throughout the country
- What you do: Cross the street when you hear it!
Train Station Platforms
Over the past three decades, many train stations have adopted jingles to announce train departures and ease the flow of commuters. Some stations reflect local culture through their tunes: JR Takadanobaba station plays the Astro Boy theme, while Kawasaki Station’s platforms one and two feature Kyu Sakamoto’s 1961 hit Ue wo Muite Arukou (“Sukiyaki“).
- Where you hear it: When a train is about to depart
- What you do: Enjoy the tune, but don’t sprint for the doors if you’re still on the platform.
The 5 o’clock Chime
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- External Link
- https://gaijinpot.com/
5 Comments
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Laguna
Love this! I don't need a watch in Japan - I just wait for the expected sound. And what about the tofu truck?
grund
My girlfriend many years ago used to live right next to the 5 o'clock chime. It was unbelievably loud. Japan in general is full of noise pollution like this. From garbage collection to trucks seeling kerosene and politicians making speaches noone listens to. Modern japan is quite different from the serene japan of yesteryear.
wallace
In our previous place in Kobe, we lived next to a Zen temple with a large bell that is rung very early in the morning and again in the evening. At first, it annoyed me, but over time, it became a soothing sound that I now miss.
In our current location, there are no temple bells except on New Year's Eve. Now it's the small truck selling Tofu or the kerosene guy in the winter. Generally, we have silence most of the time.
At my parents' condo in Florida, you could always hear the train whistles in the distance like they do. They are gone, but whenever I watch a movie and hear those train whistles, I remember my parents fondly.
David Brent
The ambulance siren is accompanied by a vehicle driving at 30km/h.
Chico3
After being in Japan for a little over 20 years, these sounds and others are like 2nd nature to me. There's also the sound for making announcements at school. Don't forget a few others like the fire alarm, the jingle for the kerosene delivery truck, and the jingles for stations around the train lines.
Once, a friend of mine was visiting from the US and was lost at one of the local JR stations. I told him to hold his phone so I could hear the jingle. I told him the name of the station and he was surprised that I knew. I told him it was the jingle Many stations have their own jingle.
Those jingles definitely come in handy when you least expect it.