Traffic Rules

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.
*In case of language problems, directly contact the number written on your rental agreement.

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 national 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.

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.

In the city district it is mandatory to park vehicles in parking lots. In case of illegal parking on the road, a parking violation officer will issue an illegal parking ticket. In Japan is common sense to use toll parking lots, but it is also true that there is only few parking for motorcycles.

Normally, if you ask to the hotel you will be staying, they will show you the parking space (for charge depending on the hotel). In some cases you may be able to use parking of supermarkets, department stores, big retailer shops, etc. However, make sure to use them after verifying eventual restrictions related to shopping facilities. Please pay attention while using convenience store’s parking lots, since long term parking is not allowed.