Japanese Road Signs Guide for Foreigners
Japanese road signs follow a system that is mostly intuitive but has several crucial differences from other countries. This guide covers the signs you absolutely must know for the gaimen kirikae test.
Regulatory Signs (Prohibition and Instruction)
STOP Sign (止まれ / Tomare)
CRITICAL: Japan's stop sign is an inverted red triangle with white text "止まれ", NOT the octagonal shape used in most other countries. This is one of the most commonly tested items on the gaimen kirikae exam. You must come to a complete stop at the stop line.
No Entry (進入禁止)
White horizontal bar on red circle. Means you cannot enter from this direction. Common on one-way streets.
No Passing (追越し禁止)
Red circle with a diagonal line over two cars. No overtaking allowed in this section.
Speed Limit Signs
Red circle with number inside (e.g., 40, 60). Numbers indicate km/h. If no sign is posted: 60 km/h on regular roads, 100 km/h on expressways. Mopeds are always limited to 30 km/h.
No Parking (駐車禁止)
Blue circle with red border and one diagonal red line. Parking (5+ minutes or leaving vehicle) is prohibited, but brief stopping with driver present is allowed.
No Stopping (駐停車禁止)
Blue circle with red border and X-shaped red lines. Both parking AND stopping are completely prohibited.
One Way (一方通行)
Blue rectangle with white arrow pointing in the direction of allowed travel.
Warning Signs
Railroad Crossing (踏切あり)
Yellow diamond with X pattern or train symbol. CRITICAL: You must ALWAYS come to a full stop before any railroad crossing in Japan, even if barriers are up and no train is visible.
Slippery Road (すべりやすい)
Yellow diamond with car sliding. Reduce speed in this area due to slippery conditions.
School Zone (学校あり)
Yellow diamond with children walking. Reduce speed and watch for children, especially during school hours.
Curve Warning Signs
Yellow diamonds with curved arrow. Indicates sharp curves ahead. Reduce speed before entering the curve.
Instruction Signs
Horn Sign (警笛鳴らせ)
Blue circle with horn symbol. You SHOULD use your horn in this area (usually mountain roads with blind curves). This is one of the few places where horn use is expected.
Pedestrian Crossing (横断歩道)
Blue diamond with person walking on stripes. Pedestrians have absolute right of way. You must stop and wait until they have completely left the crossing.
Driver Marks (Not Signs, but Tested)
Wakaba Mark (初心者マーク)
Green/yellow leaf. First-year drivers. Front AND rear.
Momiji Mark (高齢者マーク)
Four-leaf clover. Drivers 75+. Front AND rear.
Butterfly Mark (聴覚障害者マーク)
Green/yellow butterfly. Hearing impaired drivers.
Clover Mark (身体障害者マーク)
Blue four-leaf clover. Physically disabled drivers.
Practice Road Sign Questions
Test your knowledge with our road signs practice questions.
Practice Road Signs