Types of traffic signs
There are 4 main types of road traffic signs
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Prohibition signs (regulations)
Guide signs
Warning signs
Guide signs (instructions)
Auxiliary signs (supplementary information)
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Types of Traffic Signs and Their Meanings
There are 4 main types of road traffic signs
Traffic signs on this page
No Passage
No passage is allowed for all pedestrians, vehicles, and trams.
No Vehicle Passage
Vehicles (automobiles, motorized bicycles, and light vehicles) are not allowed to pass.
No Vehicle Entry
Vehicles are not allowed to enter (often placed at the exit of one-way roads).
No Passage for Non-Motorcycle Vehicles
Motorcycles (large and standard motorcycles) are allowed to pass, but other vehicles are not.
No Passage for Large Cargo Vehicles, etc.
Large cargo vehicles, large special vehicles, and specific medium cargo vehicles are not allowed to pass.
No Passage for Cargo Vehicles Exceeding Specified Maximum Load
Cargo vehicles exceeding the maximum load indicated by the supplementary sign are not allowed to pass.
No Passage for Large Passenger Vehicles, etc.
Large passenger vehicles and specific medium passenger vehicles are not allowed to pass.
No Passage for Motorcycles and Motorized Bicycles
Motorcycles (large and standard motorcycles) and motorized bicycles are not allowed to pass.
No Passage for Light Vehicles Except Bicycles
Light vehicles such as carts and handcars, except bicycles, are not allowed to pass.
No Bicycle Passage
Bicycles are not allowed to pass.
No Passage for Specified Vehicle Combinations
Vehicles indicated on the sign are not allowed to pass. In this case, automobiles and motorized bicycles are not allowed to pass.
No Two-Person Riding on Large and Standard Motorcycles
Two-person riding on large and standard motorcycles is not allowed (except for those with sidecars).
No Travel Except in Designated Direction
Vehicles must not travel in any direction other than the one indicated by the arrow.
No Vehicle Crossing
Vehicles must not cross (except for left turns to enter or exit facilities or places outside the road).
No U-Turn
Vehicles are not allowed to make a U-turn.
No Overtaking by Crossing Right Side
Vehicles must not cross to the right side of the road to overtake (overtaking without crossing to the right side is allowed).
No Overtaking
Vehicles are not allowed to overtake.
No Parking or Stopping
Vehicles are not allowed to park or stop (the numbers above indicate the prohibited time, in this case from 8 AM to 8 PM).
No Parking
Vehicles are not allowed to park (the numbers above indicate the prohibited time, in this case from 8 AM to 8 PM).
Parking Space Requirement
Vehicles must not park unless there is the parking space indicated by the supplementary sign (in this case, 6 meters) on the right side of the vehicle.
Time-Restricted Parking Zone
Parking is allowed only during the indicated time, and parking beyond the time limit is prohibited (in this case, parking for more than 60 minutes between 8 AM and 8 PM is not allowed).
No Passage for Vehicles Carrying Hazardous Materials
Vehicles carrying hazardous materials such as explosives, poisons, or toxic substances are not allowed to pass.
Weight Limit
Vehicles exceeding the weight limit indicated on the sign are not allowed to pass. *Total weight includes the vehicle, passengers, and cargo.
Height Limit
Vehicles exceeding the height limit indicated on the sign are not allowed to pass (including the height of the cargo).
Width Limit
Vehicles exceeding the width limit indicated on the sign are not allowed to pass (including the width of the cargo).
Maximum Speed
Vehicles and trams must not exceed the maximum speed indicated on the sign. However, for motorized bicycles or vehicles towing others, if the speed indicated on the sign is higher than the legal speed limit, they must not exceed the legal speed limit.
Maximum Speed for Specific Vehicle Types
Vehicles indicated on the supplementary sign must not exceed the speed indicated on the main sign.
Minimum Speed
Vehicles must not travel at a speed lower than the one indicated on the sign.
Motor Vehicles Only
Indicates a highway or road exclusively for motor vehicles. Pedestrians, motorized bicycles, and light vehicles are not allowed to pass.
Bicycles Only
Indicates a bicycle path or bicycle-only road, where vehicles other than standard bicycles and pedestrians are not allowed to pass.
Bicycles and Pedestrians Only
Indicates that only bicycles and pedestrians are allowed to pass. Vehicles other than bicycles are not allowed.
Pedestrians Only
Indicates a pedestrian-only road or pathway designated for pedestrian passage. Vehicles are not allowed to pass (except with special permission).
One-Way Traffic
Vehicles can travel in the direction indicated by the arrow. Travel in the opposite direction is not allowed.
Vehicle Lane Designation
A sign indicating the lane designation for vehicles, which must follow the designated lanes (in this case, for light vehicles and motorcycles).
Lane Designation for Specific Vehicle Types
Indicates the lane designation for specific vehicle types, where large cargo vehicles, specific medium cargo vehicles, and large special vehicles must use the leftmost lane.
Lane Designation for Towed Vehicles on Highways
Indicates the lane designation for towed vehicles on highways. Towed vehicles must follow the designated lane.
Dedicated Lane
Indicates a dedicated lane for the vehicles shown on the sign (in this case, for route buses, etc.).
Priority Lane for Route Buses, etc.
Indicates a priority lane for route buses, etc. When a route bus approaches, small special vehicles, motorized bicycles, and other vehicles must move to another lane. Vehicles cannot use this lane when it is expected to be congested and prevent exiting the lane.
Designated First Lane for Towed Vehicles on Motor Vehicle Roads
Indicates that towed vehicles must use the leftmost lane on motor vehicle-only roads.
Directional Lane Designation
Indicates the lane designation for different directions at an intersection.
Two-Stage Right Turn for Motorized Bicycles
Motorized bicycles must make a right turn by following the edge of the intersection in two stages (small right turns are not allowed).
Small Right Turn for Motorized Bicycles
Motorized bicycles must make a small right turn by moving to the center of the road (or the right edge for one-way roads) in advance. *A small right turn means turning right by moving to the center or right edge beforehand.
Sound Horn
Indicates a location where vehicles and trams must sound their horn.
Horn Use Zone
Indicates a zone where vehicles and trams must sound their horn.
Proceed Slowly
Vehicles and trams must proceed slowly (at a speed allowing immediate stopping).
Priority Road Ahead
Because the intersecting road ahead is a priority road, vehicles and trams must proceed slowly (at a speed allowing immediate stopping).
Stop
Vehicles and trams must stop immediately before the stop line. If there is no stop line, they must stop before the intersection (sign).
Priority Road Ahead and Stop
Because the intersecting road ahead is a priority road, vehicles and trams must stop immediately before the stop line. If there is no stop line, they must stop before the intersection (sign).
No Pedestrian Passage
Indicates that pedestrians are not allowed to pass. Vehicles are allowed to pass.
No Pedestrian Crossing
Indicates that pedestrians are not allowed to cross.
Time-Restricted Parking Zone for Elderly Drivers, etc.
Indicates that only vehicles with elderly driver designations can park during the specified time. General vehicles without the designation cannot park.
Clockwise Traffic at Roundabout
A sign indicating that traffic must proceed clockwise at the roundabout ahead.
One-Way Bicycle Traffic
A sign indicating one-way traffic for bicycles on sidewalks or bike paths. Bicycles can travel in the direction indicated by the arrow, but not in the opposite direction.
Bicycles May Ride Side by Side
Indicates that standard bicycles may ride side by side.
Vehicles Permitted on Tram Tracks
Indicates that vehicles are allowed to travel on tram tracks (only specified vehicles if indicated by a supplementary sign).
Parking Permitted
Indicates that vehicles are allowed to park.
Stopping Permitted
Indicates that vehicles are allowed to stop.
Priority Road
Indicates that the road with the sign is a priority road.
Center Line
Indicates that the sign’s position is at the center or center line of the road.
Stop Line
Indicates that the sign’s position is where vehicles must stop.
Pedestrian Crossing
Indicates a pedestrian crossing.
Bicycle Crossing
Indicates a bicycle crossing.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing
Indicates both a pedestrian crossing and a bicycle crossing.
Safety Zone
Indicates a safety zone for pedestrians where vehicles are not allowed to pass.
Advance Notice of Regulation
Indicates in advance that the traffic regulation shown on the sign is in effect ahead.
Stopping Permitted for Elderly Driver Designated Vehicles
Indicates a location where only vehicles with elderly driver designations are allowed to stop.
Crossroad Intersection Ahead
Indicates that there is a crossroad intersection ahead.
T-Shaped Intersection Ahead
Indicates that there is a T-shaped intersection ahead.
T-Shaped Intersection Ahead
Indicates that there is a T-shaped intersection ahead.
Y-Shaped Intersection Ahead
Indicates that there is a Y-shaped intersection ahead.
Roundabout Ahead
Indicates that there is a roundabout ahead.
Right (Left) Curve Ahead
Indicates that there is a right or left curve ahead.
Right (Left) Sharp Turn Ahead
Indicates that there is a sharp right or left turn ahead.
Right (Left) Reverse Curve Ahead
Indicates that there is a reverse right or left curve ahead.
Right (Left) Reverse Sharp Turn Ahead
Indicates that there is a reverse sharp right or left turn ahead.
Right (Left) Hairpin Curve Ahead
Indicates that there is a right or left hairpin curve ahead.
Railway Crossing Ahead
Indicates that there is a railway crossing ahead.
School, Kindergarten, Nursery, etc. Ahead
Indicates that there is a school, kindergarten, nursery, or similar facility ahead.
Traffic Signal Ahead
Indicates that there is a traffic signal ahead.
Slippery Road
Indicates that the road ahead is slippery due to ice or other conditions.
Falling Rocks Hazard
Indicates that there is a risk of falling rocks on the road ahead.
Uneven Road Surface
Indicates that the road surface ahead has unevenness (bumps or dips).
Merging Traffic Ahead
Indicates that there is merging traffic ahead.
Lane Reduction Ahead
Indicates that the number of lanes decreases ahead.
Road Narrows Ahead
Indicates that the road width narrows ahead.
Two-Way Traffic
Indicates that the road has two-way traffic.
Steep Uphill Grade Ahead
Indicates that there is a steep uphill grade ahead.
Steep Downhill Grade Ahead
Indicates that there is a steep downhill grade ahead.
Road Work in Progress
Indicates that road work is in progress.
Crosswind Caution
Indicates that caution is needed due to crosswinds.
Animal Crossing Hazard
Indicates that there is a risk of animals crossing the road.
Other Hazards
Indicates that there are other hazards ahead.
Municipality
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Prefecture
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Prefecture
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Entrance Direction
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Entrance Advance Notice
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Designated Road with Relaxed Gross Weight Limit
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Designated Road with Relaxed Height Limit
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Direction and Distance
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Direction and Lane
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Exit Advance Notice
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Direction and Orientation Advance Notice
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Direction and Orientation
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Direction, Orientation, and Distance
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Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname Advance Notice
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Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname
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Direction and Exit Advance Notice
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Direction, Lane, and Exit Advance Notice
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Direction and Exit
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Exit
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Notable Location
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Major Location
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Toll Booth
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Service Area Advance Notice
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Service Area
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Emergency Telephone
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Pull-off Area
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Emergency Parking Strip
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Parking Lot
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Climbing Lane
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National Highway Number
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Prefectural Road Number
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Road Nickname
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Detour
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Sloped Road
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Bus Stop
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Tram Stop
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Distance/Area
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Day/Time
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Vehicle Type
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Parking Space
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Start
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Within Section/Area
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End
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No Overtaking
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School Route
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Railway Crossing Caution
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Crosswind Caution
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Animal Caution
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Caution
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Caution Notes
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Reason for Restriction
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Direction
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Place Name
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Priority Road Ahead
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Starting Point
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Endpoint
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Designated Vehicle Only
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Novice Driver Sign
A mark indicating a novice driver, required to be displayed by those within one year of obtaining their license. Surrounding drivers are obligated to protect vehicles displaying this sign.
Elderly Driver Sign
A mark indicating that an elderly person is driving. Surrounding drivers are obligated to protect vehicles displaying this sign.
Physically Disabled Driver Sign
A mark indicating that a person with a physical disability is driving. Surrounding drivers are obligated to protect vehicles displaying this sign.
Hearing-Impaired Driver Sign
A mark indicating that a person with a hearing impairment is driving. Surrounding drivers are obligated to protect vehicles displaying this sign.
Provisional License Practice Sign
A sign required to be displayed by provisional license holders when practicing on the road.
Left Turn Permitted
At intersections with this sign, left turns are permitted regardless of the traffic signal.
Wheel Clamp Zone
Used in conjunction with no-parking signs. Vehicles parked in violation in areas with this sign will have a wheel clamp attached by the police.
Designated Fire Hydrant
Indicates the presence of a fire hydrant designated under fire prevention laws for firefighting activities.