Sounds that remind us of Japan

 

 

We lived in Japan from 2014-2017 and recently returned to Osaka for a holiday for the first time since moving back to England in 2017.  Some of the things in Osaka were still suprisingly familar to us, one being the very mundane but oh so distinctive Japanese (or maybe Osakan) sounds that we got used to while living in Japan – sounds that we had completely forgotten but recognised as soon as we heard them.

Those of you who have been to / lived in Japan will probably recognise at least some of these. Those of you who haven’t been to Japan – the below four clips give you a little window into everyday sounds of Japan.

 

1. Tube platform less than 100m from the apartment we used to live (Nagahoribashi station) and the tannoy announcement when a train’s approaching.

 

 

2. FamilyMart convenience store and the tune that gets played every time the front doors open.

 

3. Vocal shop assistants with their relatively high pitch and nasal greetings.

 

 

4. Pedestrian crossing on Midosuji road in Osaka.

 

In addition to the above typical Japanese sounds I’ve previously posted the sound of ‘semi’ in Japan. You can find the clip to their distinct sound here.