Sounds of Japan

I have a watch and an alarm clock, but I can tell certain times of the day by the sounds outside my apartment.

For instance, there is a produce shop that has metal roll-down shutters that make a loud screechy noise when they go up or down. The shop opens at 7:30 am and closes at 7:00 pm, every day.

There is also what I think is a temple bell that rings at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. Its tone is very low, not very loud and slow. I haven't pinpointed where it comes from. And I haven't figured out how many times it rings. It's one of those noises that you don't notice right away. You just gradually become aware that you're hearing it. .............Bong.............Bong.............Bong.........

The sewers along the roads are covered with concrete blocks that aren't cemented down. They make a distinctive rattle when cars drive on them.

Cars also beep when they go backwards. And most Japanese back into parking spaces.

I can hear the "all aboard" horn from the train station all the way from in front of the school in the morning. I think it's because the train station is down in the valley, and the school is up on the hill. The train station is 9 minutes away from my apartment in one direction and the school is 15-20 minutes in the other direction.

Speaking of the school, Westminster Quarters sound at the start and end of each period. "The Entertainer" is played over the loudspeaker system during osōji, or cleaning time. I'll never think of that song the same again!

Finally, there are LOTS of birds. Noisy ones. There are also crows. Karasuyama means "Crow Mountain," and it got the name honestly.