交差点
こうさてん
kousaten
= crossing; intersection
When the world thinks of Japan’s streets, one image dominates: hundreds of pedestrians crossing from every direction at once. That iconic scene is a kousaten — and the word itself captures exactly what happens there, paths crossing at a single point.
交差点 (kousaten) refers to a road intersection where two or more streets cross. It is the standard, neutral term used in everyday directions, traffic reports, and navigation apps. Unlike the English word “crossroads,” which can carry a metaphorical sense of decision-making, kousaten in Japanese remains firmly physical and literal — it describes the geometry of streets meeting, nothing more. At a kousaten, you will typically find traffic signals (shingou) and pedestrian crossing lights (hokoushasha you shingou). In formal contexts such as police reports or city planning documents, kousaten is always the preferred term over casual alternatives.
When giving or following directions in Japanese, kousaten is almost always paired with a turn instruction: tsugi no kousaten wo migi ni magatte kudasai (turn right at the next intersection). The key phrase to memorize is kousaten wo [direction] ni magaru — turn [direction] at the intersection. Do not confuse kousaten with 横断歩道 (oudanhodou, pedestrian crossing/crosswalk), which refers specifically to the striped lines where pedestrians cross, not the intersection itself. A kousaten may contain multiple oudanhodou.
交差点 is built from three kanji that together describe its function precisely. 交 (kou) means “to intersect” or “to mingle” — the same character appears in 交流 (kouryuu, exchange) and 交通 (koutsuu, traffic). 差 (sa) means “difference” or “to diverge,” seen in 差異 (sai, discrepancy). Together, 交差 (kousa) means “crossing” or “intersection” as a concept. 点 (ten) means “point” or “spot,” pinpointing the exact location where the crossing occurs. The compound is a precise architectural description: the spot where paths diverge and converge.
Everyday use
次の交差点を右に曲がってください。郵便局が右手に見えます。
Tsugi no kousaten wo migi ni magatte kudasai. Yuubinkyoku ga migite ni miemasu.
Please turn right at the next intersection. You’ll see the post office on your right.
Casual / Social Media
渋谷の交差点で写真撮ったんだけど、人多すぎて自分どこにいるかわからなかった笑
Shibuya no kousaten de shashin totta n da kedo, hito oosugite jibun doko ni iru ka wakaranakatta w
I took a photo at Shibuya’s intersection, but there were so many people I couldn’t even find myself in it lol
Formal / Cultural context
国道246号と山手通りの交差点付近で車両事故が発生し、現在交通規制が行われています。
Kokudou 246-gou to Yamate-doori no kousaten fukin de sharyou jiko ga hassei shi, genzai koutsuu kisei ga okonawarete imasu.
A vehicle accident has occurred near the intersection of National Route 246 and Yamate-dori; traffic restrictions are currently in effect.
Shibuya’s scramble intersection — officially called 渋谷スクランブル交差点 (Shibuya Sukuranburu Kousaten) — has become one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks abroad, yet it only gained its current fame gradually. The intersection allows pedestrians to cross in all directions simultaneously, including diagonally, during a single signal cycle. At peak times, up to 3,000 people cross in a single green light. What makes it culturally significant is not just the volume but the order: despite the density, collisions are rare, and the flow resolves itself within seconds. Foreign media coverage in the 2000s and 2010s amplified its reputation as a symbol of Tokyo’s organized energy, and it now draws tourists who come specifically to stand in the middle of it.
Japanese pedestrian signal culture at any kousaten reflects broader social norms around rule-following. Jaywalking (mudan oudankin-shi) at a red light — even on an empty street — is unusual enough to draw attention. Children are taught from elementary school that waiting for the pedestrian signal, regardless of traffic conditions, is correct behavior. This contrasts with attitudes in many other countries and is one of the first cultural observations foreign visitors make when navigating Japanese cities on foot.