Japanese Road Signs

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


Testing Resources


Written Test Guide and Practice

Guide to Japanese Road signs

Driving Test Guide