Commonly Mistaken Traffic Signs in Japan
Among traffic signs and signboards, some have very similar illustrations or significantly different meanings depending on the presence or absence of auxiliary signs. These can be easily misunderstood and often appear as questions in written exams.
Make sure to understand the differences between these signs thoroughly to avoid mistakes. Come and check some commonly mistaken traffic signs in Japan.
“No Vehicles Allowed” and “No Parking”
No Vehicles Allowed
Cars (automobiles, motorbikes, light vehicles) are not allowed to pass.
No Parking
Cars are not allowed to park.
The numbers above indicate the prohibited time, in this case, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
The “No Vehicles Allowed” sign and the “No Parking” sign both feature a circle with a slash. They differ in color, so be careful not to mix them up.
“Steep Ascent Ahead” and “Steep Descent Ahead”
Steep Ascent Ahead
Indicates a steep ascent ahead.
Steep Descent Ahead
Indicates a steep descent ahead.
Determine whether it is an ascent or descent by looking at the direction of the arrow on the slope depicted in the sign.
“Left Turn Permitted” and “One-Way” sign
Left Turn Permitted
At intersections with this signboard, you can make a left turn regardless of the traffic signal.
One-way sign
Vehicles can travel in the direction indicated by the arrow. Opposite direction travel is not allowed.
The “Left Turn Permitted” signboard and the left-pointing “One-Way” sign both indicate a left-pointing arrow. If you mistakenly interpret a one-way sign as “left turn permitted” and make a left turn on a red light, it will be considered running a red light, which is very dangerous. Make sure to remember this clearly.
“Road Narrows” and “Lane Decrease”
Road Narrows
Indicates that the road will narrow ahead.
Lane Decrease
Indicates that the number of lanes will decrease ahead.
Both the “Road Narrows” and “Lane Decrease” signs indicate that the road becomes narrower. However, “Road Narrows” means the road width decreases without reducing the number of lanes, whereas “Lane Decrease” means the number of lanes will decrease.
“Bicycles Only” and “Bicycle Crossing Lane”
Bicycles Only
Indicates a bicycle path or a road exclusively for bicycles. Other vehicles and pedestrians are not allowed.
Bicycle Crossing Lane
Indicates a bicycle crossing lane.
The difference lies in whether it is a bicycle path or a crossing lane. Remember the sign shapes or note that those with lines at the bottom indicate a crossing lane.
“One-Way” and “No Entry Except Specified Directions”
One-Way
Vehicles can travel in the direction indicated by the arrow. Opposite direction travel is not allowed.
No Entry Except Specified Directions
Vehicles cannot proceed in any direction other than the one indicated by the arrow.
The “One-Way” sign and the “No Entry Except Specified Directions” sign both feature a blue background with a white arrow, making them easy to get mistaken. The “One-Way” sign allows travel in the direction indicated (even allowing turns at intersections), whereas the “No Entry Except Specified Directions” sign prohibits travel in any direction other than the one indicated (disallowing turns if the arrow points straight up).
“Use Car Horns” and “Horn Section”
Use car horns
Indicates a location where cars and streetcars must sound their car horns.
No Parking
Indicates that you are in a section where cars and streetcars must sound their car horns.
“Use Car Horns” sign means you must sound your horn at the location of this sign. On the other hand, “Horn Section” indicates sections like “blind intersections,” “blind curves,” or “crests of hills with poor visibility” where you must sound your car horn.
“Bicycles and Pedestrians Only” and “Crosswalk/Bicycle Crossing Zone”
Bicycles and Pedestrians Only
This sign indicates that only bicycles and pedestrians are allowed to pass. Vehicles other than bicycles are not allowed.
Crosswalk and Bicycle Crossing Zone
This sign indicates a crosswalk and a bicycle crossing zone.
The difference is whether it is a road exclusive to bicycles and pedestrians or a crosswalk/bicycle crossing zone. As with the above, remember that signs with a line at the bottom indicate a crosswalk.
“No Crossing Over to the Right for Overtaking” and “No Overtaking”
No Crossing Over to the Right for Overtaking
Vehicles must not cross over to the right side of the road for overtaking. (Overtaking without crossing over to the right side is allowed.)
No Overtaking
Vehicles are not allowed to overtake.
“No Crossing Over to the Right for Overtaking” does not prohibit overtaking itself, but it does prohibit overtaking by crossing over to the right side of the road. “No Overtaking” prohibits the act of overtaking altogether.