"Tōryanse" (通りゃんせ) is the name of the traditional Japanese children's tune (warabe uta). It is a common choice for music played by traffic lights in Japan when it is safe to cross.
The words to the song are:
There are many theories to the origin of the song, but all agree that it is a portrayal of an exchange between a civilian and a guard manning some sort of a checkpoint — at Kawagoe Castle according to one theory. In the old days when infant mortality was high, people celebrated when a child survived to reach the age of 7 (as well as 3 and 5; see Shichi-Go-San), and ordinary people were only allowed to visit the shrine within the castle compound for special occasions.
This particular warabe uta is sung as part of a traditional game where two children facing each other link their hands to form an arch 'checkpoint', and the remaining children walk through underneath in a line (and back round again in circles). The child who happens to be under the arch when the song finishes is then 'caught'.
The tune being played at Japanese pedestrian crossings is an analogy to this game, i.e., it is safe to cross until the music stops.
Tōryanse can be heard in:
Adrift in Tokyo, 31:08 to 31:17Afro Samurai (video game), Battle against KumaAmatsuki, episode 1, Meeting Yakou (background music)The Animatrix in the short film BeyondBlack Lagoon, episode 7, "The Second Barrage"BleachBoogiepop PhantomChakushin Ari 2 sung by the blind lady named Shu-Mei GaoChaos;Head: The song is frequently used to prank call the protagonist, by switching the song with a loud buzz noise. Later in the game, the song serves as a defense mechanism for an important machine.Corpse Party on the Sony PSP, sung by children during two different scenesDeath Note, episode 30Dennō Coil, episode 17Earth Girl ArjunaGossiP, the song is referenced in the band's song Akudoukai -KUSOTTARE Koushinkyoku-Ground Defense Force! Mao-chan, Episode 10Hand Maid MayHigurashi no Naku Koro ni, Wheel of Fortune, played at the beginning of the first live action movie, includes lines from Tōryanse.Horizon on the Middle of Nowhere, the 'Song of Passage' is based on this song.I"s, in the OVA (children song)Ichigo Mashimaro, episode 6Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori: episode 2, from 3:07 to 3:19Karin: In the animation series, episode 9, from 13:02 to 13:15.Kantai Collection: The personification of the Furutaka Class Heavy Cruiser Kako, quotes a part of the song during her library intro. She says: "I'm the Second Furutaka Class Heavy Cruiser, Kako. I achieved quite a feat during the Battle of Savo Islands! Ah, the way back? Well, the verse 'Going in is easy, but returning is scary' was no joke!"Kiryu, is referenced in the song "Shisoku" from their single with the same name, and their 2nd albumKuroyuri To Kage, the song Benjo released on the band's second album recites a line from this song twice, the second time changing "Koko wa doko no hosomichi ja" to "Nigatsu ni boku wa shinimashita"Lost in TranslationMagical Pokaan, 10 seconds' worth at 15:11 in episode 12Magic Kaito 1412, episode 18, from 10:35 to 10.38Mahō Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no SoraMawaru Penguindrum, episode 14 a line from the nursery rhyme is displayed on the screen in the trainNeo Tokyo (film) from 28:02 to 28:10Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, episode 1Nocturnal Illusion, mentioned by the main characterNoragami, Yato sings a line of it when crashing at Tenjin's shrine for the night (episode 2, from 13:44 to 13:50; same scene appears in manga chapter 3, p. 159).Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: The yokai, Tōryanse, is a member of the Hundred Tales Clan.Paranoia AgentPing Pong ClubPokémon, episode 352 (AG076): a version rewritten to be about the Pokémon Baltoy (Yajiron) is sung more than once.Power In Numbers: A sample of children singing the line "Nie no nai mono tōshasenu" is used in the track 'Acetate Prophets'Pride (episodes 5 and 8)Pom PokoRainy Soul (Music by Garnet Crow)Rurouni Kenshin, episode 16, sung by Sasaki Heihachirou's students at the end of the episodeSayonara: The Takarasiennes sing the song as they cross the bridge to their dormitories.Serial Experiments LainServamp: In episode 6, Tsubaki sings the song before attacking Lawless.Shakugan no Shana II: beginning of first episode.Shikabane Hime: episode 2, several timesTaiyō o Nusunda Otoko: the last shown possible ending where the main character stayed alive.Tatami Galaxy: episode 7The Forest (2016 film): in various scenes, but most noticeably at the beginning of the filmTokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad, probably from 6:24 to 6:49Urusei Yatsura, episode 53Witchblade, episode 5Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta, episode 10 from 12:31 to 12:40Memories of a Geisha when she's arrive at the Mana the melody plays
