City Pulse (Japan, Kyoto)

In Kyoto , the main arteries remain surprisingly silent , even at night. The city has implemented a unique sound system: at pedestrian crossings, synthetic birdsong guides visually impaired people instead of the usual sound signals. In the streets as well as on public transport, social silence is respected: people avoid speaking loudly, and they do not honk their horns. This auditory politeness shapes a hushed urban environment , where noise is carefully contained. Seen from Kyoto Tower , this photograph reveals a dense but controlled city , where Japanese sensory codes transform public space into a place of listening and restraint.