# MenkyoQuest — Road Signs, Markings & Signals (70)

> Japanese road signs, road markings, and traffic signals, each with its meaning and the distinctions that matter for the written test (e.g. No Stopping vs No Parking, Slow Down vs Stop). Built for foreign-license-conversion (gaimen kirikae) learners.

## Index by category

- Regulatory signs (30)
- Indication signs (11)
- Warning signs (20)
- Road markings (5)
- Traffic signals (4)

## Regulatory signs

### Road Closed [301] (通行止め)
- Meaning: No one may pass — pedestrians, vehicles, and trams alike. Broader than 'No Vehicles' (302): even people on foot are barred.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/road-closed.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#road-closed

### No Vehicles [302] (車両通行止め)
- Meaning: No vehicles (cars, mopeds, light vehicles) may pass, but pedestrians may. The exam contrasts it with 'Road Closed' (301), which stops everyone.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-vehicles.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-vehicles

### Do Not Enter [303] (車両進入禁止)
- Meaning: Do not enter from this direction. It stands at the exit of a one-way street — the entrance side shows the 'One Way' sign.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-entry.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-entry

### No Large Freight Vehicles [305] (大型貨物自動車等通行止め)
- Meaning: Large (and specified medium) trucks may not pass. Different target from 'No Large Passenger Vehicles' (306), which bans big buses.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-large-vehicles.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-large-vehicles

### No Large Passenger Vehicles [306] (大型乗用自動車等通行止め)
- Meaning: Large passenger vehicles such as big buses may not pass. Pairs with 'No Large Freight Vehicles' (305), which targets trucks.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-large-passenger.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-large-passenger

### No Motorcycles or Mopeds [307] (二輪の自動車・原動機付自転車通行止め)
- Meaning: Motorcycles and mopeds may not pass. Note that bicycles (light vehicles) are not covered and may still go through.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-motorcycles-mopeds.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-motorcycles-mopeds

### No Bicycles [309] (自転車通行止め)
- Meaning: Bicycles may not pass. Distinct from the moped ban — this targets bicycles (light vehicles) only.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-bicycles.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-bicycles

### No Two-up Motorcycle Riding [310-2] (大型・普通自動二輪車二人乗り通行止め)
- Meaning: Riding a motorcycle two-up (with a passenger) is not allowed here. Riding solo is fine.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-two-person-motorcycle.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-two-person-motorcycle

### Designated Directions Only [311] (指定方向外進行禁止)
- Meaning: You may proceed only in the directions shown by the arrows. Common at intersections — not the same as a one-way street.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/designated-direction-only.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#designated-direction-only

### No Vehicle Crossing [312] (車両横断禁止)
- Meaning: You may not turn across the road to the right (e.g. into premises on the far side). Different from 'No U-turn' (313).
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-crossing.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-crossing

### No U-turn [313] (転回禁止)
- Meaning: No U-turns (reversing your direction). Don't confuse it with 'No Vehicle Crossing' (312).
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-u-turn.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-u-turn

### No Passing (do not cross center line) [314] (追越しのため右側部分はみ出し通行禁止)
- Meaning: You may not cross into the right side of the road to overtake. Unlike a full 'No Overtaking', overtaking without crossing over is still allowed.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-overtaking.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-overtaking

### No Dangerous-Goods Vehicles [319] (危険物積載車両通行止め)
- Meaning: Vehicles carrying dangerous goods may not pass. Often seen at tunnels.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-hazardous-materials.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-hazardous-materials

### Weight Limit [320] (重量制限)
- Meaning: Vehicles heavier than the posted gross weight (e.g. 5.5 t) may not pass. Judged by the vehicle's weight.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/weight-limit.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#weight-limit

### Height Limit [321] (高さ制限)
- Meaning: Vehicles taller than the posted height (e.g. 3.3 m), load included, may not pass.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/height-limit.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#height-limit

### Maximum Width [322] (最大幅)
- Meaning: Vehicles wider than the posted width (e.g. 2.2 m) may not pass.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/width-limit.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#width-limit

### Maximum Speed [323] (最高速度)
- Meaning: Do not exceed the posted speed (e.g. 60 km/h). Where no sign is posted, the statutory limit applies.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/max-speed.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#max-speed

### Minimum Speed [324] (最低速度)
- Meaning: Do not drive below the posted speed (e.g. 50 km/h). Seen on expressways and similar roads.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/min-speed.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#min-speed

### Motor Vehicles Only [325] (自動車専用)
- Meaning: Marks a motor-vehicle-only road. Mopeds, light vehicles, and pedestrians may not enter. Common on expressways.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/motor-vehicles-only.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#motor-vehicles-only

### Bicycles Only [325-2] (自転車専用)
- Meaning: Only bicycles may use this way. Pedestrians and other vehicles may not enter.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/bicycles-only.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#bicycles-only

### Bicycles and Pedestrians Only [325-3] (自転車及び歩行者専用)
- Meaning: Only bicycles and pedestrians may use this way. Cars and mopeds may not.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/bicycles-pedestrians-only.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#bicycles-pedestrians-only

### Pedestrians Only [325-4] (歩行者専用)
- Meaning: Only pedestrians may use this way. Vehicles are barred in principle (except permitted ones, e.g. reaching a garage).
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/pedestrians-only.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#pedestrians-only

### One Way [326] (一方通行)
- Meaning: Traffic may move only in the arrow's direction. The opposite end shows 'Do Not Enter'. Different from 'Designated Directions Only' (311).
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/one-way.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#one-way

### Designated Lane [327-4] (専用通行帯)
- Meaning: A lane reserved for a designated vehicle type (e.g. route buses). Other vehicles may not normally use it.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/designated-lane.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#designated-lane

### Route-Bus Priority Lane [327-5] (路線バス等優先通行帯)
- Meaning: A lane where route buses have priority. Other cars may use it but must move out and yield when a bus approaches — a common contrast with the 'Designated Lane'.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/bus-priority-lane.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#bus-priority-lane

### Sound Horn [328] (警笛鳴らせ)
- Meaning: Sound your horn at this spot. Different from a 'horn zone' covering a stretch of road — placed where visibility is poor.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/sound-horn.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#sound-horn

### Slow Down [329] (徐行)
- Meaning: Slow to a speed from which you can stop immediately (roughly 10 km/h or less). Not a full stop — unlike the Stop sign (330), you needn't halt.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/slow-down.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#slow-down

### Stop [330] (一時停止)
- Meaning: Stop completely just before the stop line, check it is safe, then go. Unlike 'Slow Down' (329), the wheels must actually come to rest.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/stop.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#stop

### No Pedestrians [331] (歩行者通行止め)
- Meaning: Pedestrians may not walk along here. Broader than 'No Pedestrian Crossing' (332), which only bans crossing the road.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-pedestrians.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-pedestrians

### No Pedestrian Crossing [332] (歩行者横断禁止)
- Meaning: Pedestrians may not cross the road here. Different from 'No Pedestrians' (331), which bans walking along it at all.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/no-pedestrian-crossing.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#no-pedestrian-crossing

## Indication signs

### Riding Abreast Permitted [401] (並進可)
- Meaning: Shows that bicycles may ride two abreast. Without this sign, riding side-by-side is generally prohibited.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/parallel-ok.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#parallel-ok

### Driving on Tram Tracks Permitted [402] (軌道敷内通行可)
- Meaning: Cars may drive on the tramway tracks. Without this sign, driving on the tracks is generally not allowed.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/tram-lane-ok.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#tram-lane-ok

### Parking Permitted [403] (駐車可)
- Meaning: Marks where parking is allowed. A supplementary plate may add time limits or conditions.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/parking-permitted.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#parking-permitted

### Stopping Permitted [404] (停車可)
- Meaning: Marks where stopping is allowed. Unlike 'Parking Permitted' (403), it does not allow parking.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/stopping-permitted.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#stopping-permitted

### Priority Road [405] (優先道路)
- Meaning: Shows that this is the priority road. It has right of way over crossing roads, and you are not required to slow at the intersection while on it.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/priority-road.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#priority-road

### Center Line [406] (中央線)
- Meaning: An indication sign marking where the road's center line lies. Same meaning as the painted center-line marking.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/center-line.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#center-line

### Stop Line (sign) [406-2] (停止線)
- Meaning: An indication sign showing where vehicles should stop. When halting at a stop sign or signal, do not cross this line.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/stop-line-sign.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#stop-line-sign

### Pedestrian Crossing [407] (横断歩道)
- Meaning: Marks a pedestrian crossing. You must stop and yield when someone is crossing or about to cross.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/pedestrian-crossing.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#pedestrian-crossing

### Bicycle Crossing [407-2] (自転車横断帯)
- Meaning: A marked place for bicycles to cross. You must not obstruct cyclists who are crossing.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/bicycle-crossing.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#bicycle-crossing

### Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing [407-3] (横断歩道・自転車横断帯)
- Meaning: Marks where a pedestrian crossing and a bicycle crossing are combined. Yield to both pedestrians and cyclists.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/crossing-and-bicycle.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#crossing-and-bicycle

### Safety Zone [408] (安全地帯)
- Meaning: A marked island on the road that protects tram passengers and others. You must slow down when passing a safety zone that has people in it — but not when it is empty.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/safety-zone.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#safety-zone

## Warning signs

### Intersection Ahead [201] (交差点あり)
- Meaning: Warns of an intersection ahead. Slow down and watch for cross traffic.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-intersection.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-intersection

### Rotary Ahead [201-2] (ロータリーあり)
- Meaning: Warns of a rotary (circular intersection) ahead. Distinct from a legally-defined 'roundabout' (kanjō kōsaten).
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-rotary.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-rotary

### Bend Ahead [202] (右（又は左）方屈曲あり)
- Meaning: Warns that the road bends sharply once ahead.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-bend.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-bend

### Reverse Bend Ahead [204] (右（又は左）背向屈曲あり)
- Meaning: Warns of a reverse (S-shaped) double bend ahead. Reduce speed well before the curves. Different from a 'winding road' sign (three or more successive bends).
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-curve.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-curve

### Railroad Crossing Ahead [207] (踏切あり)
- Meaning: Warns of a railroad crossing ahead. Stop just before the crossing and check it is safe.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-railroad.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-railroad

### School Zone Ahead [208] (学校・幼稚園・保育所等あり)
- Meaning: Warns that a school, kindergarten, or nursery is nearby. Watch for children stepping out.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-school.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-school

### Traffic Signal Ahead [208-2] (信号機あり)
- Meaning: Warns of a traffic signal ahead, often where it is hard to see in time.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-signal.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-signal

### Slippery Road [209] (すべりやすい)
- Meaning: Warns the road surface is slippery. Slow down, especially in rain or ice.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-slippery.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-slippery

### Falling Rocks [209-2] (落石のおそれあり)
- Meaning: Warns of possible falling rocks or landslides, e.g. in mountainous areas.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-falling-rocks.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-falling-rocks

### Bumpy Road [209-3] (路面凹凸あり)
- Meaning: Warns of an uneven (bumpy) road surface. Slow down to pass.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-bumps.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-bumps

### Merging Traffic [210] (合流交通あり)
- Meaning: Warns that traffic merges from another road ahead. Watch for merging vehicles.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-merge.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-merge

### Lane Decrease [211] (車線数減少)
- Meaning: Warns that the number of lanes decreases ahead. Different from 'Road Narrows' (212) — here the lane count itself drops.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-lanes-merge-reduce.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-lanes-merge-reduce

### Road Narrows [212] (幅員減少)
- Meaning: Warns the road narrows ahead. Different from 'Lane Decrease' (211).
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-narrow.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-narrow

### Two-Way Traffic [212-2] (二方向交通)
- Meaning: Warns of two-way traffic ahead (opposing traffic shares the road). Watch for oncoming vehicles.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-two-way.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-two-way

### Steep Ascent [212-3] (上り急勾配あり)
- Meaning: Warns of a steep uphill grade ahead.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-uphill.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-uphill

### Steep Descent [212-4] (下り急勾配あり)
- Meaning: Warns of a steep downhill grade ahead. Use engine braking to keep speed in check.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-downhill.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-downhill

### Road Works [213] (道路工事中)
- Meaning: Warns of road works ahead.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-roadwork.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-roadwork

### Crosswind [214] (横風注意)
- Meaning: Warns of possible strong crosswinds. Keep a firm hold on the wheel.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-crosswind.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-crosswind

### Animals Crossing [214-2] (動物が飛び出すおそれあり)
- Meaning: Warns that animals may dash out onto the road.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-animals.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-animals

### Other Danger [215] (その他の危険)
- Meaning: Warns of a hazard not covered by other signs; the specifics are usually given on a supplementary plate.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/warning-other.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#warning-other

## Road markings

### Stop Line (停止線)
- Meaning: Shows the line vehicles must not cross when stopping.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/marking-stop-line.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#marking-stop-line

### Pedestrian Crossing Marking (横断歩道（標示）)
- Meaning: A road marking showing where pedestrians cross.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/marking-pedestrian-crossing.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#marking-pedestrian-crossing

### Yellow Center Line (黄色の中央線)
- Meaning: A yellow center line prohibits crossing it to overtake. With white lines too, a solid line forbids crossing; only a broken white line lets you cross to overtake.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/marking-center-line-yellow.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#marking-center-line-yellow

### No Passing Marking (追越しのための右側部分はみ出し通行禁止（標示）)
- Meaning: A yellow center line bans crossing into the right side to overtake — the same meaning as the matching sign.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/marking-no-overtaking.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#marking-no-overtaking

### Do Not Change Lanes (進路変更禁止（標示）)
- Meaning: A yellow lane line prohibits changing lanes across it.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/marking-do-not-pass.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#marking-do-not-pass

## Traffic signals

### Red Signal (赤色の灯火)
- Meaning: Vehicles and pedestrians must stop. Do not proceed beyond the stop line.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/signal-red.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#signal-red

### Yellow Signal (黄色の灯火)
- Meaning: Stop, as a rule. You may proceed only if you cannot stop safely before the stop line.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/signal-yellow.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#signal-yellow

### Green Signal (青色の灯火)
- Meaning: You may go straight, turn left, or turn right (with exceptions, e.g. mopeds making a two-stage right turn). Green means you 'may' go, not that you 'must'.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/signal-green.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#signal-green

### Right Arrow Signal (右向き矢印信号)
- Meaning: Lets you proceed in the arrow's direction even on red or yellow. A right arrow also allows a U-turn — but light vehicles, mopeds making a two-stage right turn, and specified small mopeds may not go.
- Image: https://www.menkyoquest.com/illustrations/signs/signal-arrow-right.svg
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/signs#signal-arrow-right

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Source basis: National Police Agency's official Rules of the Road (Public Domain under Article 13 §2 of Japan's Copyright Act), the Road Sign Order, and the Road Traffic Act.
Sign images are from Wikimedia Commons (PD-Japan-exempt). Copyright on AI-drafted explanations belongs to the MenkyoQuest team.
Contact: contact@menkyoquest.com