5 p.m. Chime

One thing that surprised us when we got here, and now we have grown to love, is what is called the 5 p.m. Chime.   It’s an instrumental version of ‘Yuyaku Koyake’, a Japanese children’s folk song dating back to 1919. The music is used as both a daily safety check to ensure that Tokyo's broadcast system and speakers are working correctly, and also to remind children that playtime is over and that they should return home before dark.  The broadcast system throughout the city is part of a nationwide system set up around most villages, towns and cities to warn residents in the case of emergency – especially disaster warnings for tsunamis and what to do in response to earthquakes. It amazes us that a city this large will play a sweet tune at 5 p.m. every work day.  From what I have heard, different parts of Tokyo will have different songs (like Edelweiss and Greensleeves).  Kind of fun, and something that we have started to look forward to.  We will miss it when we leave!