Speed Limits
60km/h general, 100km/h expressway, 30km/h moped
The maximum speed limit on expressways in Japan is 120 km/h for all vehicles.
🏎️ Speed Limits Cheat Sheet
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TRUE: The general speed limit on regular roads in Japan is 60 km/h unless otherwise posted.
The default speed limit on regular roads in Japan is 60 km/h when no speed limit sign is posted.
TRUE: Mopeds (gentsuki) have a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h.
Mopeds (50cc or less, called gentsuki) have a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h regardless of the posted speed limit on the road.
TRUE: On expressways, the minimum speed is 50 km/h.
The minimum speed on Japanese expressways is 50 km/h.
TRUE: Large trucks and buses have a lower maximum speed limit on expressways than regular cars.
Large trucks (over 8 tonnes) have a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h on expressways, compared to 100 km/h for regular cars.
TRUE: Speed limits in Japan are always posted in kilometers per hour (km/h).
Japan uses the metric system, and all speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour (km/h).
TRUE: In foggy conditions, you should drive below the posted speed limit for safety.
When visibility is reduced due to fog, rain, or other conditions, you should drive at a speed appropriate for the conditions, which may be well below the posted limit.
TRUE: School zones may have a reduced speed limit of 30 km/h during certain hours.
Many school zones in Japan have reduced speed limits of 30 km/h during school hours.
TRUE: When there is a speed limit sign with an additional sign showing "7-9" underneath, the speed limit applies only between 7:00 and 9:00.
Time-restricted speed limit signs in Japan have a supplementary sign showing the hours during which the limit applies.
TRUE: On a road with a 50 km/h speed limit, a motorcycle (over 50cc) may drive up to 50 km/h.
Motorcycles with engines over 50cc follow the same speed limits as cars on regular roads.
TRUE: The "end of speed limit" sign (with a diagonal line through the number) means the road returns to the default speed limit.
When you see a speed limit sign crossed out with a diagonal line, the specific speed restriction ends and the default speed limit applies (60 km/h on regular roads, or the next posted limit).
FALSE: The maximum speed limit on expressways in Japan is 120 km/h for all vehicles.
The standard maximum speed on expressways is 100 km/h for regular vehicles.
FALSE: The speed limit on a residential street with no speed limit sign is 60 km/h.
While the default limit on regular roads is 60 km/h, many residential areas have zone-30 restrictions limiting speed to 30 km/h.
FALSE: Exceeding the speed limit by less than 15 km/h is not considered a violation in Japan.
Any speed above the posted limit is a violation in Japan.
FALSE: When towing another vehicle, you may drive at the same speed as vehicles not towing.
When towing another vehicle, speed limits are reduced.
FALSE: A speed limit sign showing 40 in a red circle means the minimum speed on that road is 40 km/h.
A number in a red circle indicates the MAXIMUM speed limit, not minimum.