While it's typically a better idea to look where you're going when running in a hurry, we usually tend to trust the linear layout of a stairwell enough to not require any special attention other than the sign of the current floor we're on.

Japanese Twitter user Yuichi Ito (@yuichi_itoh) gave a very specific and jarring example of why showing an extra bit of caution is always a good idea with a photo of a dangerous stairway that has thousands on Twitter doing a double take.

Yuichi took the photo at used goods store Hobby Off in the Hachioji district of Tokyo. He shared it, saying that he had been hurrying down the stairs at a brisk class and almost found himself in a head-on collision that initially mystified many.

Source: @yuichi_itoh

Looking closely, you'll see that the stairway has an ill-placed mirror (that Yuichi calls "too sinful") reflecting the descending stairway opposite of it, which is very difficult to notice when coming down quickly from the stairs around the corner, which Yuichi had been doing.

Coupled with a sign to the left of the mirror that reads "furniture and household appliances are downstairs", along with the "1F UP" "B1F DOWN" signage above the mirror which looks like an extension of the hallway, the area looks like a hot spot for collisions!

Many in the comments replied that they would have never noticed the layout at first glance, and have ran right into the mirror themselves. We got in touch with Zero Emission, the company that runs the store to ask about the confusing stairwell. According to the, when they took the place of an electronics store that operated in the building built 35 years ago, they changed the layout to match the aesthetic of their store, but made no change to the mirror's stairwell placement.

However, the store seems to have caught wind of the situation online, and decided to share a picture of them handling the problem...

Source: @hbowada

The poster reads, "this is a mirror."

Source: @hbowada

"We apologize deeply."

Hopefully the bowing anime store staff will help others avoid confusion!


By - grape Japan editorial staff.