Information signsJapan

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Japan. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


Information signs

An information sign identifies a route, destination, facility or regulated road or area. Some carry legal consequences, so apply the actual sign meaning and local traffic code.


Lane for cyclists. Road with one-way traffic. Lane for buses. Overview of the lanes and their direction. Detour for vehicles that are not allowed to pass. Parking allowed.

1. Lane for cyclists

This traffic sign indicates a lane for cyclists. The lane is designated for bicycle traffic, subject to the applicable road markings, traffic signs and local rules.

Lane for cyclists.

English • Traffic sign 327の4の2 • Ordinary bicycle lane. Designates a lane for ordinary bicycles. The law also addresses specified small motorised bicycles and other light vehicles; it does not uniformly exclude every other vehicle category.

日本語 • 327の4の2 • 普通自転車専用通行帯。 普通自転車が通行する車両通行帯を指定しています。法令上、特定小型原動機付自転車や他の軽車両の通行に関する扱いもあるため、すべての他車種を一律に排除するという意味ではありません。

2. Road with one-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates a road with one-way traffic. Drivers may travel only in the permitted direction.

Road with one-way traffic.

English • Traffic sign 326-A • One-way to the left. Follow the leftward arrow; opposite-direction travel is prohibited.

日本語 • 326-A • 一方通行:左方向。 車両は矢印の示す左方向に通行してください。反対方向への通行は禁止されています。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧

SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2023-07-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

3. Lane for buses

This traffic sign indicates a lane for buses. The lane is intended for buses and any other road users permitted by the applicable signs or local rules.

Lane for buses.

English • Traffic sign 327の5 • Priority lane for scheduled buses and similar vehicles. Gives these vehicles priority; differs from a bus-only lane symbol. Do not obstruct eligible buses and other covered vehicles.

日本語 • 327の5 • 路線バス等優先通行帯。 路線バス等を優先する車両通行帯です。バス専用通行帯を示す図柄とは異なります。対象のバス等の通行を妨げないようにしてください。

4. Overview of the lanes and their direction

This traffic sign gives an overview of the lanes and their direction. The arrows or other indications show how the lanes continue and which directions or destinations they serve.

Overview of the lanes and their direction.

English • Traffic sign 327の7 • Lane directions. Arrows specify directions from each lane. Select a lane for your destination and observe any different rules applying to ordinary bicycles and related categories.

日本語 • 327の7 • 進行方向別通行区分。 各車両通行帯から進める方向を矢印で指定しています。進みたい方向に合う通行帯を選んでください。普通自転車等に適用される別の通行方法にも注意してください。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧

SVG source: Monaneko (talk) • Public domain • Original revision 2010-04-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Detour for vehicles that are not allowed to pass

This traffic sign indicates a detour for vehicles that cannot continue on the normal route. Vehicles affected by the relevant restriction should follow the indicated alternative route.

Detour for vehicles that are not allowed to pass.

English • Traffic sign 120-B • Diversion for a height limit. Shows a route avoiding a 3.3 m restriction. Check vehicle height and the indicated alternative route.

日本語 • 120-B • まわり道:高さ制限。 高さ制限3.3メートルの場所を避ける経路を案内しています。自分の車両の高さと、図に示されたまわり道を確認してください。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧

SVG source: Monaneko (talk) • Public domain • Original revision 2013-09-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. Parking allowed

This traffic sign indicates that parking is allowed. Vehicles may be parked in the area covered by the sign subject to any indicated conditions, restrictions or local parking rules.

Parking allowed.

English • Traffic sign 117-A/403 · symbol identification scope • Car park or parking permitted. A white P on blue concerns parking. As a car-park direction sign it indicates a car park; as an on-road parking-permitted sign it permits parking at the designated place. The symbol is used by guide sign 117-A and indication sign 403. This isolated drawing cannot establish which meaning applies at a particular location.

日本語 • 117-A/403 · 図柄の識別範囲 • 駐車場・駐車可。 青地の白いPは駐車に関する標識です。駐車場を案内する標識として使われる場合は駐車場の場所を示し、道路上の「駐車可」として使われる場合は指定された場所で駐車できることを示します。 Pの図柄は案内標識117-Aと指示標識403で使われます。この単独の図だけでは、現地でどちらの意味で設置されているか確定できません。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧

SVG source: Widehawk (talk) • Public domain • Original revision 2022-10-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.