Whether you are preparing to take the Japanese driver’s license exam, or already driving in Japan, you should be familiar with Japanese street and road signs. This useful guide presents 70 of the most common Japanese street and road signs and their meanings. For a more detailed listing, you should read the Japan Automobile Federation’s (JAF) book, English Rules of the Road.
Regulatory Signs
Closed to all motor vehicles
Road Closed
No entry
No U-Turn
Closed to Bicycles
Only Designated Directions Permitted
No Crossing
Closed to all Vehicles except Motorcycles
No Passing
No Parking or Stopping
No Parking
Time-limited parking zones
Weight Limited
Height Limited
Width Limited
Maximum Speed Limited
Minimum Speed Limited
Motor Vehicles Only (designation for highways)
One Way
Bicycle and Pedestrians Only
Pedestrians Only
Two-Step Right Turn for Mopeds
Sound Horn
Slow Down
Stop
Closed to Pedestrians
Crossing by Pedestrian Prohibited
Left Turn Permitted on Red Light
Warning Signs
Cross Road
Road Branch Right
T Intersection
Y Junction
Roundabout
Right(Left) Bend
Right(Left) Turn
Right(Left) Double Bend
Right(Left) Double Turn
Other Dangers
Railway Crossing
School, Kindergarten, Nursery
Light Signals
Slippery Road
Falling or Fallen Rocks
Hump or Dip
Road Entry Left
Fewer Lanes
Road Narrows
Two-way
Dangerous Hill Upwards
Dangerous Hill Downwards
Road Works
Side-wind
Danger Animals Crossing
Zigzag Road
Indication Signs
Abreast Riding Permitted
Parking Permitted
Stopping Permitted
Right of Way
Center Line
Stop Line
Pedestrian Crossing
Bicycle Crossing Zone
Safety Zone
