"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 31:17
Afro Samurai (video game), Battle against Kuma
Amatsuki, episode 1, Meeting Yakou (background music)
The Animatrix in the short film Beyond
Black Lagoon, episode 7, "The Second Barrage"
Bleach
Boogiepop Phantom
Chakushin Ari 2 sung by the blind lady named Shu-Mei Gao
Chaos;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 scenes
Death Note, episode 30
Dennō Coil, episode 17
Earth Girl Arjuna
GossiP, the song is referenced in the band's song Akudoukai -KUSOTTARE Koushinkyoku-
Ground Defense Force! Mao-chan, Episode 10
Hand Maid May
Higurashi 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 6
Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori: episode 2, from 3:07 to 3:19
Karin: 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 album
Kuroyuri 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 Translation
Magical Pokaan, 10 seconds' worth at 15:11 in episode 12
Magic Kaito 1412, episode 18, from 10:35 to 10.38
Mahō Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora
Mawaru Penguindrum, episode 14 a line from the nursery rhyme is displayed on the screen in the train
Neo Tokyo (film) from 28:02 to 28:10
Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, episode 1
Nocturnal Illusion, mentioned by the main character
Noragami, 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 Agent
Ping Pong Club
Pokémon, 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 Poko
Rainy Soul (Music by Garnet Crow)
Rurouni Kenshin, episode 16, sung by Sasaki Heihachirou's students at the end of the episode
Sayonara: The Takarasiennes sing the song as they cross the bridge to their dormitories.
Serial Experiments Lain
Servamp: In episode 6, Tsubaki sings the song before attacking Lawless.
Shakugan no Shana II: beginning of first episode.
Shikabane Hime: episode 2, several times
Taiyō o Nusunda Otoko: the last shown possible ending where the main character stayed alive.
Tatami Galaxy: episode 7
The Forest (2016 film): in various scenes, but most noticeably at the beginning of the film
Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad, probably from 6:24 to 6:49
Urusei Yatsura, episode 53
Witchblade, episode 5
Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta, episode 10 from 12:31 to 12:40
Memories of a Geisha when she's arrive at the Mana the melody plays
