Despairingly miserable pedestrian crossing music

[vitto]

i've heard that tune on the anime's Gantz and Dead Note.

[frankanarchy]

I always thought this tune sounded like it should be something from an old graphic adventure video game, Kings Quest style. It would probably play when you entered the cottage of an old couple that you needed to do a pathetically insignificant favour for in exchange for their fishing rod or lute or something vital to your main quest.

[gadnihasj]

i love that melody! it's not depressing at all, just a bit scary

[GGrrrrriffffoonn]

"This is the central crossing in Kyoto, which has the most depressing crossing sound you've ever heard in your life."

Hahahahahaha!!!

[ayanuhito]

hehehe "miserble", i see how you felt. i actually love the way you felt it. welcome back to kyoto and japan sometime, again!

[XuBlax]

Meh its not depressing, its cultural and refreshing.

[vitto]

the real song it's nice but that awkward sound for the speaker is creepy

[MickeyTheFixer]

The tune is "Toryanse" which means "Let me pass". It's an old children's game similar to "Oranges & Lemons" - you sing the song and when the tune stops you're caught. Hence, when the music stops on the crossing - it's no longer safe to cross! The tune is based on the Japanese pentatonic scale, which has slightly different intervals to western pentatonic scales - so may sound slightly alien. It's not meant to be mocking at all. :-)