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Simple, this is something that can only really be found in NYC in the US, and in Asia it is more of a culture in building urban areas to have these over sensitizing areas.
Agreed. It's a big deal because it's unique in US. Since it's unique, it's also leveraged in many Hollywood films, making it more culturally relevant. In Asia, it's just another street. Neon lights are everywhere, so it's hard to pin down a "spot". Times Square is TINY. It's easy to fit into on one movie scene or on a poster. Ginza, as an example used above, is still big, and doesn't fit nicely into one movie poster, one postcard or whatnot. So, it's harder to make it into a symbol.
Times Square looks a little more compact compared to Ginza and is more plastered with signs for show. Could be wrong, I've never been to Asia, but Times Square looks a bit more showy from photos.
I have been to the Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, and as a native NYer I was impressed with it. There just seemed to be so many people crossing when the lights change. Traffic, then people, then traffic. I always thought that was the busiest crosswalk in the world. Here's a video for those who have never seen it: Saturday afternoon at Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo - YouTube. In terms of the lights in the area, there are many lights and ads as well, and I would say it's a bit more spread out. For Times Square, millions of people see the symbol of the ball dropping at New Year's and just the image of the area as representative of "New York" and it just tugs at my heart more than the square in Tokyo.
NYC is the only world-class city the U.S has so it stands out to us more but also, another point, Times Square was the -Original- of its kind of urban center. There have been city-squares and town-centers before, but Times Square was the first to take it to the next level.
NYC is the only world-class city the U.S has so it stands out to us more but also, another point, Times Square was the -Original- of its kind of urban center. There have been city-squares and town-centers before, but Times Square was the first to take it to the next level.
I think the LED screen filled type of city square was pioneered by Asia however...
Times Square is more significant because it's where people gather during historical moments. It represents the heart beat of America, capitalism, imperialism and pop culture. There is a far greater global reach by the brands represented there.
New York can't compete with the light shows of Tokyo's neon neighborhoods - there are blocks upon blocks of streets like 42nd Street. From a strictly "bright lights, big city" perspective, Tokyo beats New York, hands down, it's just far more impressive and spread out. However, Times Square is still more iconic because of America's cultural impact on the world.
I don't disagree with the guy that said Times Square's lights represent culture and Asia's lights represent shopping - I think that's pretty accurate for the most part.
The difference is advertising/marketing/brainwashing.
^^^^
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