At the entrance to Dankazura in Kamakura, there stands a large torii gate known as the Second Torii.
The pedestrian crossing at this intersection is oddly arranged, with a slightly skewed layout and a pedestrian-only signal phase.
For visitors unfamiliar with the area, it is often unclear when exactly one should cross.
Most Japanese pedestrians—perhaps seventy percent or so—do not cross the street when the light is red.
In most places, ignoring a red signal simply does not happen.
At the crossing in front of the Second Torii, local residents know that the traffic signal for cars crossing Wakamiya Ōji is active, so they patiently wait until the light changes.
When they see visitors step forward without realizing this, they often watch with a look of mild disbelief.
Traffic crossing Wakamiya Ōji is usually light, but occasionally a motorcycle speeds through unexpectedly.
It is a small crossing, but caution is still necessary, and from time to time someone narrowly avoids an accident.
Japanese tourists who make this mistake usually stop or turn back, looking slightly embarrassed.
Foreign tourists, on the other hand, may cross even when they know the light is red—as long as no cars are coming.
In New York City, the situation is completely different.
Even at a red light, pedestrians will actively attempt to cross if there are no cars.
Some will cross even when cars are approaching.
The moment there is a gap in traffic, people lean forward, check quickly, and step out—as if failing to cross would be a missed opportunity.
I sometimes think there is no need to hurry so much.
If everyone is in such a rush, perhaps leaving home a little earlier would help.
It almost makes me want to suggest a change in lifestyle habits.
That said, New York streets are remarkably dirty, and not places one wants to linger.
Perhaps people simply want to escape as quickly as possible to somewhere warm and clean.
Seen from that perspective, a group of dozens of people standing neatly in front of a small crosswalk—one that takes only three steps to cross—must look quite strange to a New Yorker.
It is said that Japanese people will not cross a street if the pedestrian signal is red, even when no cars are in sight.
This tendency may be one of the forces that maintains order in Japan.
But then, how was this national character cultivated?
Traffic signals were introduced only in the Taishō era.
Before that, what kind of shared standard guided people’s behavior?
