It is standard etiquette for commuters to stand on the left side when using the escalator, so that the right side is cleared for those willing to walk up or down. The left side standing is observed throughout Japan, except Osaka. People in Osaka stands on the Right side instead. What is the real reason?
This is a great question and the answer is... no one knows. But there are two main ideas.
Escalator Etiquette in Japan
Tokyo vs Osaka
As the question states, in Tokyo people generally stand on the left side of the escalator and walk on the right side, and in Osaka it is the reverse, with people generally standing on the right and walking on the left.
I write "generally" because it does very. There was a TV report a while back that sent camera crews to watch some places in Tokyo and they found that while about 70% of people did indeed stand on the left of the escalator and walk on the right, the other 30% did either the opposite or stood in the middle, blocking those who wanted to walk.
Based on my own observations over the years, I can agree with that. I think this is less the "rule" the guidebooks make it out to be but is common enough, with a noticeable majority doing it but not an overwhelming majority. In other words, while most people tend to "follow the rule", there are many who do not. I'd say the busier a place is, the more likely everyone is to do things the same as everyone else. But this is true everywhere, not just Japan.
What About the Rest of Japan
It is usually assumed that most of the country does things the Tokyo way, standing on the left and walking on the right. Areas near Osaka might follow their way or do a little of both.
Here in Aichi Prefecture, I have observed that younger people tend to do things Tokyo-style and stand on the left, whereas older folks tend to stand on the right. I've been observing this behavior for over ten years. I haven't read anything on the matter, but I have guessed that maybe this area used to stand on the right, but as younger people want to copy Tokyo, it is changing. My guess. But really... I have no idea. Mostly it's just an observation.
So... Why?
There are two main theories on the matter.
Some say it started in the 60s and 70s. Before this time, all of Japan stood on the left. Around this time, train stations in Osaka noticed that people tended to stand on the right. They theorized this was because most people are right-handed and standing on the right enabled them to more easily hold the handrail. They started making announcements advising everyone to stand on the right. Soon everywhere in Osaka was copying this. The public campaign worked so well that soon standing in the right became the accepted way to ride the escalator in Osaka.
Meanwhile, Tokyo eyed Osaka as if they were crazy, possibly under the influence of radical hippie thinkers, and continued to advise people to stand on the left as all sensible folk should do.
Another idea is that it has to do with Tokyo historically being home to samurai while Osaka was home to merchants. Samurai wore their sword on the left hip so they walked on the left to avoid their swords hitting as they passed each other. This is also commonly given as the reason Japan drives on the left. Meanwhile, the merchants of Osaka walked on the right to keep their wallets as far away from anyone they passed as possible and avoid theft.
It may sound a bit silly, but there is some truth to the cultures of Tokyo and Osaka being different due to this samurai/merchant history and so it is conceivable that this could be a reason.
FYI, the first theory is more accepted than the second, but neither is 100% accepted and you will find both if you look into the matter or ask any Japanese people. Of course most Japanese people will just look at you blank faced because they don't even really notice the difference or don't care.
Also worth mentioning, there was a TV show a few years ago that jokingly looked into the matter. They concluded that Osaka people were more polite because most people are right handed and hold things in their right hand so standing on the right means bags and briefcases don't bump into anyone. The joke here is that the stereotype within Japan is that Osaka people are more rude than Tokyo people, but—ah hah—they are actually more polite and this proves it!
Bottom Line: No one knows for sure, but it was probably due to the efforts of the local Osaka train company. It may also have been influenced by samurai/merchant differences. Finally it could possibly be because Osaka people are just nicer than Tokyo people.
Agree? Disagree? Let Me Know!
Do you agree with my answer here but have something to add? Disagree? If either thing, please leave a comment, but also I'd encourage you to write your own post with your answer. Let me know if you do so and I'll edit this post to include a link to your answer.
Ask Me Japan
Do you have any questions about Japan that you just can't find the answer to and are itching to know? Ask me in the comments and if I have any insight I'll address your question in another post.
Thank you for reading. See you next time!
 | David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time. |