The stop sign, in the left image, is a red downward-pointing triangle with the text

in white. The same text is used in the related street marking (picture on the right) in a vertical writing (beware that this street mark has exactly the same meaning as the road signal and some times you may find only the street mark).

You usually find the stop sign at intersections, merging roads or roads next to public special facilities like schools, hospitals, etc. The vehicle making the stop has to wait for other cars or pedestrians to pass.

The most important thing to pay attention is to make a complete stop. When riding a motorcycle, unless you touch with your feet on the ground it is not considered a complete stop. If you are riding in a group, each member of the group has to follow the stop.

※Traffic lights with a blinking red light like those in railroad crossings require to make a complete stop even if there are no stop signs.

The speed limit is often displayed on signs along the road. If not displayed, default speed limits in in Japan are 100 km/h for highways, 50 km/h for other roads.

However, most expressway speed limits are 90km/h, and sometimes it falls to 80km/h. That restriction might become lower in the case of adverse weather. In any case pay close attention to the speed limits indicated on each road and to the come.

Japan rules toward overtaking and related road marking are not really different from many other countries and, as you can see from the image above, the rules are quite simple.

White continuous line: forbidden to cross.
Yellow continuous line: forbidden to cross for overtaking.

When reaching an intersection, the traffic is usually split between roads with arrows painted on the lanes. Generally right lane is for turning right, middle lane for going straight ahead and left lane is to turn left.

Going on a direction other than the one painted on the line you are riding on might incur in a traffic violation. Therefore, it is very important to always drive on the right lane. It becomes yellow solid line from 30 to 50 m before the intersection.

Changing lanes crossing a solid yellow line is a violation, so if you make a mistake you have to proceed following the arrows. Before reaching the intersection, slow down the speed and check which lane is recommended.

Pedestrians and bicycles have top priority on crosswalks. Please make sure to check both right and left to check there are no pedestrians when crossing a crosswalk. If a pedestrian is about to cross, always give him/her the way.

Bring your vehicle to a complete stop in front of open train crossings. In Japan is mandatory rule to make a complete stop in front of a train crossing even when the bar is open and failing to stop is an actual violation which may incur in a penalty.

In Japan is common to have traffic lights with arrows indicating the direction on which the traffic can proceed.

In case the arrow pointing to your direction is lighting green, as in the left image, you are allowed to proceed.

Also, most of traffic lights in Japan are located on the opposite side of the road, as in above image on the right, therefore when approaching a junction point, pay close attention to the opposite side of the road.

• Single rider only, no passenger allowed.
• Speed limit: 30km/h.
• Need to stay to the left 1m of the road.
• Not allowed to ride on expressways/highways.
• Any right turn on a street with 3 lanes at the point of intersection, requires a two-stage right turn. In some cases two-stage right turn is forbidden. In these cases you will find the signal on the left.