Types of traffic signs

There are 4 main types of road traffic signs:

  • Prohibition signs (regulations)
  • Guide signs
  • Warning signs
  • Guide signs (instructions)

    • Prohibition signs (regulations)

    No Passage
    No Passage
    		No passage is allowed for all pedestrians, vehicles, and trams.
    No Vehicle Passage
    No Vehicle Passage
    		Vehicles (automobiles, motorized bicycles, and light vehicles) are not allowed to pass.
    No Vehicle Entry
    No Vehicle Entry
    		Vehicles are not allowed to enter (often placed at the exit of one-way roads).
    No Passage for Non-Motorcycle Vehicles
    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.
    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
    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.
    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
    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
    No Passage for Light Vehicles Except Bicycles
    		Light vehicles such as carts and handcars, except bicycles, are not allowed to pass.
    No Bicycle Passage
    No Bicycle Passage
    		Bicycles are not allowed to pass.
    No Passage for Specified Vehicle Combinations
    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
    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
    No Travel Except in Designated Direction
    		Vehicles must not travel in any direction other than the one indicated by the arrow.
    No Vehicle Crossing
    No Vehicle Crossing
    		Vehicles must not cross (except for left turns to enter or exit facilities or places outside the road).
    No U-Turn
    No U-Turn
    		Vehicles are not allowed to make a U-turn.
    No Overtaking by Crossing Right Side
    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
    No Overtaking
    		Vehicles are not allowed to overtake.
    No Parking or Stopping
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Height Limit
    		Vehicles exceeding the height limit indicated on the sign are not allowed to pass (including the height of the cargo).
    Width Limit
    Width Limit
    		Vehicles exceeding the width limit indicated on the sign are not allowed to pass (including the width of the cargo).
    Maximum Speed
    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
    Maximum Speed for Specific Vehicle Types
    		Vehicles indicated on the supplementary sign must not exceed the speed indicated on the main sign.
    Minimum Speed
    Minimum Speed
    		Vehicles must not travel at a speed lower than the one indicated on the sign.
    Motor Vehicles Only
    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
    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
    Bicycles and Pedestrians Only
    		Indicates that only bicycles and pedestrians are allowed to pass. Vehicles other than bicycles are not allowed.
    Pedestrians Only
    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
    One-Way Traffic
    		Vehicles can travel in the direction indicated by the arrow. Travel in the opposite direction is not allowed.
    Vehicle Lane Designation
    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
    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
    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
    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.
    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
    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
    Directional Lane Designation
    		Indicates the lane designation for different directions at an intersection.
    Two-Stage Right Turn for Motorized Bicycles
    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
    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
    Sound Horn
    		Indicates a location where vehicles and trams must sound their horn.
    Horn Use Zone
    Horn Use Zone
    		Indicates a zone where vehicles and trams must sound their horn.
    Proceed Slowly
    Proceed Slowly
    		Vehicles and trams must proceed slowly (at a speed allowing immediate stopping).
    Priority Road Ahead
    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
    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
    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
    No Pedestrian Passage
    		Indicates that pedestrians are not allowed to pass. Vehicles are allowed to pass.
    No Pedestrian Crossing
    No Pedestrian Crossing
    		Indicates that pedestrians are not allowed to cross.
    Time-Restricted Parking Zone for Elderly Drivers, etc.
    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
    Clockwise Traffic at Roundabout
    		A sign indicating that traffic must proceed clockwise at the roundabout ahead.
    One-Way Bicycle Traffic
    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.

    Guide signs

    Bicycles May Ride Side by Side
    Bicycles May Ride Side by Side
    		Indicates that standard bicycles may ride side by side.
    Vehicles Permitted on Tram Tracks
    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
    Parking Permitted
    		Indicates that vehicles are allowed to park.
    Stopping Permitted
    Stopping Permitted
    		Indicates that vehicles are allowed to stop.
    Priority Road
    Priority Road
    		Indicates that the road with the sign is a priority road.
    Center Line
    Center Line
    		Indicates that the sign’s position is at the center or center line of the road.
    Stop Line
    Stop Line
    		Indicates that the sign’s position is where vehicles must stop.
    Pedestrian Crossing
    Pedestrian Crossing
    		Indicates a pedestrian crossing.
    Bicycle Crossing
    Bicycle Crossing
    		Indicates a bicycle crossing.
    Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing
    Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing
    		Indicates both a pedestrian crossing and a bicycle crossing.
    Safety Zone
    Safety Zone
    		Indicates a safety zone for pedestrians where vehicles are not allowed to pass.
    Advance Notice of Regulation
    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
    Stopping Permitted for Elderly Driver Designated Vehicles
    		Indicates a location where only vehicles with elderly driver designations are allowed to stop.

    Warning signs

    Crossroad Intersection Ahead
    Crossroad Intersection Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a crossroad intersection ahead.
    T-Shaped Intersection Ahead
    T-Shaped Intersection Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a T-shaped intersection ahead.
    T-Shaped Intersection Ahead
    T-Shaped Intersection Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a T-shaped intersection ahead.
    Y-Shaped Intersection Ahead
    Y-Shaped Intersection Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a Y-shaped intersection ahead.
    Roundabout Ahead
    Roundabout Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a roundabout ahead.
    Right (Left) Curve Ahead
    Right (Left) Curve Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a right or left curve ahead.
    Right (Left) Sharp Turn Ahead
    Right (Left) Sharp Turn Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a sharp right or left turn ahead.
    Right (Left) Reverse Curve Ahead
    Right (Left) Reverse Curve Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a reverse right or left curve ahead.
    Right (Left) Reverse Sharp Turn Ahead
    Right (Left) Reverse Sharp Turn Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a reverse sharp right or left turn ahead.
    Right (Left) Hairpin Curve Ahead
    Right (Left) Hairpin Curve Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a right or left hairpin curve ahead.
    Railway Crossing Ahead
    Railway Crossing Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a railway crossing ahead.
    School, Kindergarten, Nursery, etc. Ahead
    School, Kindergarten, Nursery, etc. Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a school, kindergarten, nursery, or similar facility ahead.
    Traffic Signal Ahead
    Traffic Signal Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a traffic signal ahead.
    Slippery Road
    Slippery Road
    		Indicates that the road ahead is slippery due to ice or other conditions.
    Falling Rocks Hazard
    Falling Rocks Hazard
    		Indicates that there is a risk of falling rocks on the road ahead.
    Uneven Road Surface
    Uneven Road Surface
    		Indicates that the road surface ahead has unevenness (bumps or dips).
    Merging Traffic Ahead
    Merging Traffic Ahead
    		Indicates that there is merging traffic ahead.
    Lane Reduction Ahead
    Lane Reduction Ahead
    		Indicates that the number of lanes decreases ahead.
    Road Narrows Ahead
    Road Narrows Ahead
    		Indicates that the road width narrows ahead.
    Two-Way Traffic
    Two-Way Traffic
    		Indicates that the road has two-way traffic.
    Steep Uphill Grade Ahead
    Steep Uphill Grade Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a steep uphill grade ahead.
    Steep Downhill Grade Ahead
    Steep Downhill Grade Ahead
    		Indicates that there is a steep downhill grade ahead.
    Road Work in Progress
    Road Work in Progress
    		Indicates that road work is in progress.
    Crosswind Caution
    Crosswind Caution
    		Indicates that caution is needed due to crosswinds.
    Animal Crossing Hazard
    Animal Crossing Hazard
    		Indicates that there is a risk of animals crossing the road.
    Other Hazards
    Other Hazards
    		Indicates that there are other hazards ahead.

    Guide signs (instructions)

    Municipality
    Municipality
    		Add information about: Municipality
    Prefecture
    Prefecture
    		Add information about: Prefecture
    Prefecture
    Prefecture
    		Add information about: Prefecture
    Entrance Direction
    Entrance Direction
    		Add information about: Entrance Direction
    Entrance Advance Notice
    Entrance Advance Notice
    		Add information about: Entrance Advance Notice
    Designated Road with Relaxed Gross Weight Limit
    Designated Road with Relaxed Gross Weight Limit
    		Add information about: Designated Road with Relaxed Gross Weight Limit
    Designated Road with Relaxed Height Limit
    Designated Road with Relaxed Height Limit
    		Add information about: Designated Road with Relaxed Height Limit
    Direction and Distance
    Direction and Distance
    		Add information about: Direction and Distance
    Direction and Lane
    Direction and Lane
    		Add information about: Direction and Lane
    Exit Advance Notice
    Exit Advance Notice
    		Add information about: Exit Advance Notice
    Direction and Orientation Advance Notice
    Direction and Orientation Advance Notice
    		Add information about: Direction and Orientation Advance Notice
    Direction and Orientation
    Direction and Orientation
    		Add information about: Direction and Orientation
    Direction, Orientation, and Distance
    Direction, Orientation, and Distance
    		Add information about: Direction, Orientation, and Distance
    Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname Advance Notice
    Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname Advance Notice
    		Add information about: Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname Advance Notice
    Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname
    Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname
    		Add information about: Direction, Orientation, and Road Nickname
    Direction and Exit Advance Notice
    Direction and Exit Advance Notice
    		Add information about: Direction and Exit Advance Notice
    Direction, Lane, and Exit Advance Notice
    Direction, Lane, and Exit Advance Notice
    		Add information about: Direction, Lane, and Exit Advance Notice
    Direction and Exit
    Direction and Exit
    		Add information about: Direction and Exit
    Exit
    Exit
    		Add information about: Exit
    Notable Location
    Notable Location
    		Add information about: Notable Location
    Major Location
    Major Location
    		Add information about: Major Location
    Toll Booth
    Toll Booth
    		Add information about: Toll Booth
    Service Area Advance Notice
    Service Area Advance Notice
    		Add information about: Service Area Advance Notice
    Service Area
    Service Area
    		Add information about: Service Area
    Emergency Telephone
    Emergency Telephone
    		Add information about: Emergency Telephone
    Pull-off Area
    Pull-off Area
    		Add information about: Pull-off Area
    Emergency Parking Strip
    Emergency Parking Strip
    		Add information about: Emergency Parking Strip
    Parking Lot
    Parking Lot
    		Add information about: Parking Lot
    Climbing Lane
    Climbing Lane
    		Add information about: Climbing Lane
    National Highway Number
    National Highway Number
    		Add information about: National Highway Number
    Prefectural Road Number
    Prefectural Road Number
    		Add information about: Prefectural Road Number
    Road Nickname
    Road Nickname
    		Add information about: Road Nickname
    Detour
    Detour
    		Add information about: Detour
    Sloped Road
    Sloped Road
    		Add information about: Sloped Road
    Bus Stop
    Bus Stop
    		Add information about: Bus Stop
    Tram Stop
    Tram Stop
    		Add information about: Tram Stop

    Auxiliary signs (supplementary information)

    Distance/Area
    Distance/Area
    		Add information about: Distance/Area
    Day/Time
    Day/Time
    		Add information about: Day/Time
    Vehicle Type
    Vehicle Type
    		Add information about: Vehicle Type
    Parking Space
    Parking Space
    		Add information about: Parking Space
    Start
    Start
    		Add information about: Start
    Within Section/Area
    Within Section/Area
    		Add information about: Within Section/Area
    End
    End
    		Add information about: End
    No Overtaking
    No Overtaking
    		Add information about: No Overtaking
    School Route
    School Route
    		Add information about: School Route
    Railway Crossing Caution
    Railway Crossing Caution
    		Add information about: Railway Crossing Caution
    Crosswind Caution
    Crosswind Caution
    		Add information about: Crosswind Caution
    Animal Caution
    Animal Caution
    		Add information about: Animal Caution
    Caution
    Caution
    		Add information about: Caution
    Caution Notes
    Caution Notes
    		Add information about: Caution Notes
    Reason for Restriction
    Reason for Restriction
    		Add information about: Reason for Restriction
    Direction
    Direction
    		Add information about: Direction
    Place Name
    Place Name
    		Add information about: Place Name
    Priority Road Ahead
    Priority Road Ahead
    		Add information about: Priority Road Ahead
    Starting Point
    Starting Point
    		Add information about: Starting Point
    Endpoint
    Endpoint
    		Add information about: Endpoint
    Designated Vehicle Only
    Designated Vehicle Only
    		Add information about: Designated Vehicle Only

    Other

    Novice Driver Sign
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Provisional License Practice Sign
    		A sign required to be displayed by provisional license holders when practicing on the road.
    Left Turn Permitted
    Left Turn Permitted
    		At intersections with this sign, left turns are permitted regardless of the traffic signal.
    Wheel Clamp Zone
    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
    Designated Fire Hydrant
    		Indicates the presence of a fire hydrant designated under fire prevention laws for firefighting activities.

    Basic Knowledge