Warning sign - Curve, Bend, Double curve, Double bend, Winding [ Japan driving ]

This is 2nd time, I will inform the warning signs.

You can see somewhere the following sings.

As explained previous pages,  yellow signs are easy to imagine ( = No Japanese ). So, you can imagine them.
I explain about curving, bend, winding signs

[ Right curve ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This is shown there are right curve ahead. About left curve, the arrow is illustrated to opposite side (left arrow).

It is important that this arrow does not show the actual shape of the curve whether  sharp or loose. Sometimes you need to be careful when you are driving on the winding road.

[ Right bend ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This is shown there are right bend ahead. About left bend, the arrow is illustrated to opposite side (left bend). 

[ Double Curve ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This is shown there are a double curve ahead. It is important that this arrow does not show the actual shape of road curve whether is shape or loose same as ahead sign. So, sometimes you need to be careful when you are driving on the winding road.

[ Double bend ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This is shown there are a continuing bend right-left ahead. About left-right bend, the arrow is illustrated to opposite side. 

[ Winding curve ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This is shown there are a winding curve ahead. It is important that this arrow does not show the actual shape same as ahead sign. Please take care when you see this sign.




Continue to Japan Traffic Warning signs - Rail/Tram crossing, School, Traffic light, Slipper road, Falling Rocks, Irregular Surface
Previous to Japan Traffic Warning signs - Crossing, Rotary sings(Crossing, T, Y junction, Rotary)

Next time, I will inform you about traffic light, rail road ahead signs.

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.
If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments.

Warning sign - Crossing, Rotary sings [ Japan driving ]

From this time, I will inform the warning signs.

You can see somewhere the following sings.

These yellow signs are basically only using illustration easy to imagine ( = No Japanese ). So, you can understand these signs.
However there are rarely signs, so you can not see them in your driving.

[ Crossing a road ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This sign is a caution of road crossing. This sign is used to set a place where you can not check the crossing easily ( Mountain, winding, city road with many houses,  Uphill road,,,,,).

[ Brunch crossing ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This sign is a caution of brunch crossing. This sign is used to set a same place as above sign ( Crossing a road ).  This sign has two version. another version is " ┫" sign ( opposite brunch).

[ T crossing ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This sign is a caution of T junction crossing.
This sign is used to set a same place as the above signs. Since you see also the Stop marking at the same time, you should full stop and turn right or left after checking the safety of the traffic.

[ Y crossing ] Mandatory, Better, Good

This sign is the difference version of the above sign ( T crossing ). A action of safety driving is same of that. Japan has many T crossing. And, Y crossing is also many less than T crossing.

[ Rotary ] Mandatory, Better, Good

As I informed you before page(Traffic sign & Marking 9), there are rarely the roundabout for road crossing in Japan. However, this signs are set in some stations. Some station are one-way streets (= Rotary ) to reduce traffic congestion of the commuting time. You can see this sign in the station.


Continue to Next


Next time, I will continue to inform you about curving signs.

I would like you to check another sings (following links) for Japanese Traffic.

1. Topics
2. Traffic sign
3. Assist sign
4. Guidance sign
5. Warning Sign

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.
If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments

Guidance sign - National/ Prefecture road/ Road name [ Japan driving ]

This is 5th times about the Guidance signs.

I will inform about Route No. guidance signs.
You can see everywhere their signs for public road.
These signs have many variation because Japan have a lot of chopped routes.
Please take care when you drive a public road

[ National road ] Good

You can see everywhere when you drive a public road.This road is maintained by the governance of Japan. Basically, their roads have multi lane ( 2- 6 lanes) and smooth surface. They are a main road for all vehicles.
However, they have heavy traffic, so they have often a big congestion.
I suggest you to check the traffic congestion.
=> JATIC  ( unfortunately, Japanese only)
  *Existing the some smart phone app, but maybe support Japanese only
 

[ Prefecture road ] Good

You can see everywhere when you drive a public road.This road is maintained by the each prefecture. There are a lot of version for indication.
So, I think it is not necessary to keep in your mind.


 *県道 = Prefecture road
 *神奈川 =Kanagawa -Prefecture name

[ Road name ] Good

You can see somewhere when you drive a public road.
Some road have a name in addition the Number. Since some Japanese sometimes talk the road by the road name, so it is easy to understand if you know them. However, there are a lot of road name. I think it is not necessary to keep in you mind.

 *青山 = Aoyama - Name
 *通り = Street
 *渋谷 = Shibuya - Name
 *線 = Line of road

Previous to Last page(Parking, passing, slow traffic for guidance signs)

This time is final about guidance signs. From Next, I will inform you about Warning signs.

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.
If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments.

Guidance sign - Parking zone/ Passing zone [ Japan driving ]

This is 4th times about the Guidance signs.

I will inform about parking, route no. signs.
You can see somewhere their signs on the expressway or the public road.
Please keep in your mind.

[ Parking zone ]Mandatory

You can sometime see these signs on the expressway or public road.

When you want to park your car, you can park there ( near this sign).

Blue painted sign is for the public road, other hands Green painted sign is for Public road.

[ Passing area ]Good

This sign is too rare. You may not be able to see. You can see the narrow road in the mountain or the winding road. When you have a oncoming vehicle on a narrow road, it is difficult to pass it. You or other can use this area for passing in safety.

*退避 = keep away

*所 =area

[ Slow traffic ]Good

You can see sometimes on the mountain-area road that there are many roads in Japan. Basically, it is not important for you ( when you drive passenger vehicles). If you drive a large truck or some troubles that you did not drive on the enough speed, you should drive this slow traffic lane.

You may see a lot of large vehicles what they are ignoring this sign. They are too dangerous drivers, please do not stay away from them.

[ Slope，Bus Stop, Tram stop ]Good

You can sometime see these signs on the Service area(SA), Parking area(PA) on the expressway or public road. When you see this sign, please take care for another vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

 *バス = Bus

 *のりば = station

 *でんしゃ = Train, tram


Continue to Next page
Previous to Last page (Service area, Parking area, Emergency call)

Next time, I will inform you about route No. signs.

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.
If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments.

Guidance sign - Service area/ Parking area [ Japan driving ]

This is 3rd times about the Guidance signs.

I will inform about service area, emergency guidance signs.
You can see everywhere their signs on the expressway.
Especially, the service area signs and emergency sings are important.
Please keep in your mind.

[ Service area, Parking area ]Mandatory

You can see somewhere on the expressway. Service area and Parking area are properly located on the expressway(There is one in about 30 -50 kilometers. It depends on the expressway).

When you want to take a break or change a driver, you can stop there.

There is no difference between Service area(SA) and Parking area(PA). But, SA have many of the services like restaurant, gas station, etc. 

When you drive in Japanese holiday seasons( ex. Beginning of May, middle of August, end and beginning of year.) ,  their SA and PA are much congestion. Please take care your travel time you need. At that time, express also is much congestion.... Please keep in your mind.

[ Emergency call ]Mandatory

When you have a trouble on the expressway, please call by using this telephone ( There is a telephone under or near this sign and free of charge). 

But, unfortunately, operator may be not able to speak English also another languages. I suggest you to have some Japanese language or friends(?) for emergency.  

*This is too rare case. I used only one time for about 25 years driving.  

*非常 = emergency

*電話 = Call

[ Emergency Parking area ]Mandatory

You can see somewhere on the expressway. When your car has some troubles that you can continue to drive, you can stop there. Basically, you could not stop on the road except when the car doesn't move at all.

Continue to Next page
Previous to Last page (destination direction, exit for guidance signs)

Next time, I will inform you about Parking, route No. signs.

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.
If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments.

Guidance sign - Advance notice [ Japan driving ]

This is 2nd time for the Guidance signs.

You can see everywhere these sings. As informed you, some signs have another language indication, but almost signs do not have. I suggest to keep your destination's Japanese (Kanji).

[ Advance notice ]Better

You can see everywhere in the public road ( = Blued signs). There signs do not have Road No., so it is difficult to understand. And more,  if they do not have the translated indication, it is more difficult.
This signs have many variations, so you could not keep in your mind.
The important point is simple when you are driving.
Point is
-Crossing type - same-level crossing, multi-level crossing ,,,,,
-Find out your direction.

[ Advance notice with Road name ]Better

Same as above signs. Some signs have the indication of road name. The road name is indicated in the arrow. Almost cases are Japanese character(KANJI, HIRAGANA). I think it is too difficult to find out these signs.

*明治 =Meiji (Proper noun)
*通り=Street

[ Advance notice distance and exit ]Better

These signs are for the expressway = Green based signs. There are many variations for this sign because of the difference depends on the city. However, in Expressway,  there are a lot of the English indicated signs. I think it is a little easier to find out.


Continue to Next page
Previous to Last page (distance, directiion for guidance signs)

Next time, I will inform you about service area, emergency area signs.

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.
If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments.

Guidance sign - Express and Public road [ Japan driving ]

From this time, I will inform the Guidance signs.

You can see everywhere the following sings.

The signs with English, Korean or Chinese described as followings are increasing day by day.However, unfortunately, there are many signs described by only Japanese characteristics in Japan.

I suggest you to keep your destinations Japanese (Kanji )

And, the sign based "Green" is for expressway!!

[ Direction of Expressway ]Mandatory

You can see them near the expressway.

If you drive expressway, please follow this arrow. 

Since Japan's expressway have a number, like E1, E2, E3....  same as western countries. I suggest you to keep Expressway name & Number.
=> Expressway No (MLIT, Japanese Ministry HP)

[ Direction of Expressway ]Better

You can see near the entrance of Expressway = interchange. You check the described number ( 150m). This means is that the distance is 150 meter from here to the entrance of expressway.

*入口=entrance of expressway

[ Guidance of distance ]Better

You can see everywhere  in the public road. These signs is shown the distance to the city. a sign based Blue is for using public road, Green is for expressway.
Please keep in your mind.

[ Destination, Lane ]Mandatory

You can see this after entering the entrance of Expressway. You should drive to your right lane after checked your destination ( Japanese).
Since almost Japanese interchange have multiple entrance for expressway.
If you mistake, you lost time and money. Please take care of it before you start a driving.




Continue to Next page

Next time, I will continue to inform you about notice signs.
I would like you to Check another sings (following links)for Japanese Traffic.

1. Topics
2. Traffic sign
3. Assist sign
4. Guidance sign
5. Warning Sign

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.
If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments

Assist sign - Caution/ Direction/ Place name [ Japan driving ]

This is 4th times for the assist signs for Japan driving under the traffic sings.

There are not mandatory, but important for your driving in Japan.

Please keep in your mind!!

[Caution] Good

This sign is shown "caution".

This is not designated specification. So, you should take care of everything, animal, wind, train, pedestrians, etc.....

However, this is rarely sign. If you can, please keep in you mind.

[Specific Caution] Good

This sign is shown "Specific caution".

So, you should take care of "shoulder of road", "speed for safety".

There signs are changing depends on the road and many variation. 

So, if you have some signs what you can not understand, please ask your friend or me by sending picture.  

  *路肩 = Shoulder of road

  *弱し = Weaken

  *安全 = Safe

  *速度 = speed

The following signs are shown "Specific caution" as above sign.

I think you can not understand all because they are Japanese and many variation. 

If you keep safety driving, I think you may not be caught by plices.

*騒音防止

*区間

*歩行者横断

*多し

*対向車

[ Direction ]Better

This sign is shown the direction of route, place , or something.

You drive following this sign for your direction. 

This sign have many variation ( arrow is changed)

[ Place name ]Good

This sign is shown the name of place, city, facility or something.

I think you cannot understand because this sign have many variations and describes Japanese in most cases.  

 *小諸市 = Komoro shi  －name of city

 *本町  = Hon machi - town name inside of city 

Previous to Last page( for zone, wind, crossing,)

This is the end of the assist sign.
Next time, I will inform you about guidance signs.

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.

If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments

Assist sign - School zone/ Train crossing [ Japan driving ]

This is 3rd times for the assist signs for Japan driving under the traffic sings.

There are a important assist signs. Please keep your mind!!

[School zone] Mandatory

This sign is shown the school zone. And you can see schools in near area and many students. You should keep carefully when you driving.

*通学路 = School zone, school road

[ Train crossing ] Mandatory

This sign is shown the train crossing. In Japan, you sometimes see the crossing on the road.

  *踏切 = Train crossing

  *注意 = Caution

As a rule in Japan, 

1. You should full stop before the rail road. 

2. You check the safety, right hand, left hand, and around.

    Open the window, you should check the sound of train.

3. You cross the train road

[ Side wing ] Good

This sign is shown the windy area ( bridge , local road, mountain, etc.)

Their places have sometimes strong windy. Please be careful to safety drive when wind is strong.

  *横風 = Side wind

  *注意 = Caution

[ Animal caution] Good

This sign is shown the animal caution. Japanese mountain areas have some natural animals, bear, boar, deer, monkey, fox,,,,,etc.

Please take care your driving.

Because it is rare, you may want to stop the car and approach it, but it is better not to approach it because it is dangerous.

continue to Next page

Previous to Last page( for area of signs)

Next time, I will inform you about assist caution signs.

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.

If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments.

Assist sign - Start/ Between/ End [ Japan driving ]

This is 2nd times for the assist signs for Japan driving under the traffic sings.

There are a mandatory signs. Please keep your mind!!

[ Start of traffic regulation ] Mandatory

Their three assist sings are basically same

And they are indicated the start points of traffic regulations.

Since you can see everywhere, please keep your mind  when you are driving.

*ここから  = start point

*区域  = area

[ continuing of traffic regulation ] Mandatory

Their two assist sings are basically same

And they are indicated to continue the traffic regulations.

Since you can see everywhere, please keep your mind  when you are driving.

[ End of traffic regulation ] Mandatory

Their four assist sings are basically same

And they are indicated the end points of traffic regulations.

Since you can see everywhere, please keep your mind  when you are driving.

*ここまで = till this point = end 

*区域 = area 

continue to Next page (caution for school, wind, animals)
Previous to Last page ( for distance, area, time, day, time Vehicle, Type, parking)

Next time, I will inform you about 2nd time  about assist signs

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.

If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments

Assist sign - Distance/ Area/ Time/ Day [ Japan driving ]

From this time, I will explain the assist signs for Japan driving under the traffic sings and marking what I explained before.

[ Distance or Area ]Mandatory

Their following signs are designated the distance or area and you can see everywhere in the road and similar signs (distance and area are changed ).

You should keep the upper sign between the assist sign designated.

*ここから50 m = from this point to 50m

*この先 100 m = From this point to 100 meters

*市内全域 = all city roads

[ Time or Day ]Mandatory

Their following signs are designated the time and Day.

You can see everywhere in the road and similar signs (time and day are changed ).

You should keep the upper sign between the assist sign designated.

*8-20 = 8:00 - 20:00

*日曜・休日を除く = Except for Sunday and holiday.

*Holiday = only national holiday of Japan.

[ Vehicle Type ]Mandatory

Their following signs are designated the Vehicle.

You can see everywhere in the road.

You should keep the upper sign between the assist sign designated.

*原付を除く = Except for mopeds
*積 3 t = loading 3 ton over
*標章車専用 =exclusive for marked car for too elderly drivers, some challenged drivers and etc.
*大貨物 = Large trucks

[ Parking space ]Good

Their following signs are designated distance when you parking.

You should keep 6 meter from the road edge.

These signs are rarely, you may be not able to find out.   

*駐車余地 = Clearance for parking

[ Parking machine work time ]Better

Their following signs are designated distance when you use road side parking.

They are designated the time you can use parking system.

*パーキング・チケット表示時刻まで  : Work time for parking ticket

*パーキング・メーター表示時刻まで  : work time for parking machine

This is same as this sing

I explained Traffic sign & Marking 5 

continue to Next page

Next time, I will inform you about 2nd time  about assist signs

I would like you to be helpful for your Japan driving in Japan.

If you have any questions, please let me know them by sending a direct mail or fill comments