Traffic
When it comes to traffic in Japan, some things are the same whereas some things are not. Yes, Captain Obvious is reporting for duty.
As said, pedestrian crossing indicators tweet like birds (more on that at the bottom of this post) and the fact that bicycles generally ride among pedestrians on the sidewalk was also already mentioned. That traffic goes on the wrong side of the road (left not being the right side), was probably also already common knowledge.
However, something that you have to quickly get used to is a completely different thing.
First let me give you some background information. I’m thinking of (just) two types of methods for managing traffic on a large intersection, using traffic lights. I call them “managed” and “Paris” (which is where I first was amazed by this variant, a couple of years ago).
What I call “managed” is that, in turn, all sides each gets to go. After that, all the pedestrian signals have their turn simultaneously. Simple as that.
In Paris (and in other places, I know!) all the sides of the intersection get their turn, but at the same time pedestrians get to go as well. And the rest of the traffic have to give the pedestrians right of way on the zebra crossings, which we all know is just what happens…..
Anyways, in this “Paris” variant, at least the pedestrians get to look at a light which indicates if they have to wait or get to cross the street.
Now, so much for the background information and over to my point.
In Japan, at most intersections (OK, the smaller ones, I admit) pedestrians don’t get to watch at their own little indicator light. They have to monitor the traffic light of the traffic that goes into the same (or opposite) direction. That is, traffic from behind and up front, go at the same time as the pedestrian. If traffic from the left or right gets to go, the pedestrian has to wait. And monitor the proper traffic light to be sure.
Fun fact: traffic lights are horizontally oriented (going left to right), from green to red.
Addendum: yes, pedestrian crossing indicators tweet. But that’s only for the first set of parallel crossings at one intersection. The other set (which are located perpendicularly) make a completely different sound. Because, we wouldn’t want you to get confused, you know.