Old and modern Japan, Scramble crossing and Torii gate

Used for the first time 75 years ago in USA and Canada, the pedestrian scramble crossings were adopted by the Japanese cities, especially for the very crowded places. The most famous of them is, of course, the Shibuya scramble crossing, but they are popular enough to receive a Japanese name: sukuranburu-kōsaten スクランブル交差点 (kōsaten means crossing).

Since they're safer, not to mention that the crossing is shortened if you go diagonally, the scramble crossings are preferred by pedestrians. And they certainly have their charm when used next to major urban landscapes, such the one photographed here, in Kamakura, in front of the famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangu torii gate.