Prohibitory signsJapan
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Japan
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Additional signsProhibitory signs
A prohibitory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what is not allowed on that specific road or in that situation. These signs impose restrictions such as no entry, no overtaking, no parking, speed limits, or bans on certain types of vehicles. Their purpose is to clearly indicate actions that are forbidden to ensure safety, maintain traffic flow, and protect vulnerable road users.
How are prohibitory signs classified in Japan?
Regulatory signs prohibit or restrict particular traffic methods, vehicles or manoeuvres.
🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text
🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — Traffic Lights and Road Signs, official English definitions
🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — traffic instruction handbook, sign groups and road use; read with current Act
What does a no-turn sign prohibit in Japan?
It prohibits the left, right or other turn shown at the junction or position controlled by the sign in Japan. Follow any supplementary panel or authorised direction and choose another legal route.
🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text
🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — Traffic Lights and Road Signs, official English definitions
🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — traffic instruction handbook, sign groups and road use; read with current Act
Can a no-turn restriction apply only to certain vehicles or hours in Japan?
Yes, where the local sign system provides a supplementary condition or exemption, such as a vehicle class, time or authorised access. Without a valid exception, comply with the prohibited movement shown.
🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text
🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — Traffic Lights and Road Signs, official English definitions
🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — traffic instruction handbook, sign groups and road use; read with current Act
1. No entry
This traffic sign means no entry. Drivers may not enter from the direction in which the sign is placed.
English • Traffic sign 303 • No entry for vehicles. Vehicles must not enter from this direction.
日本語 • 303 • 車両進入禁止。 この方向から車両が進入することを禁止しています。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.
2. Access prohibited in both directions
This traffic sign indicates that drivers may not enter the road from either direction.
English • Traffic sign 301 • Road closed. Prohibits pedestrians and similar users, vehicles and trams. Differs from the sign closing a road only to vehicles.
日本語 • 301 • 通行止め。 歩行者等、車両、路面電車の通行を禁止しています。車両だけを対象とする「車両通行止め」とは異なります。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.
3. Cyclists prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that cyclists are prohibited. Cyclists may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.
English • Traffic sign 309 • No specified small motorised bicycles or bicycles. Both categories are prohibited.
日本語 • 309 • 特定小型原動機付自転車・自転車通行止め。 特定小型原動機付自転車と自転車の通行を禁止しています。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
4. Motorcycles prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that motorcycles are prohibited. Motorcyclists may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.
English • Traffic sign 307 • No two-wheeled motor vehicles or general motorised bicycles. Both categories are prohibited.
日本語 • 307 • 二輪の自動車・一般原動機付自転車通行止め。 二輪の自動車と一般原動機付自転車の通行を禁止しています。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.
5. Motorcycles and cars prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that motorcycles and cars are prohibited. Motorcycles and cars may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.
English • Traffic sign 310 • Combined vehicle prohibition. Prohibits the illustrated motor vehicles other than two-wheelers, and two-wheeled motor vehicles and general motorised bicycles.
日本語 • 310 • 車両の組合せ通行止め。 図柄で示された二輪以外の自動車と、二輪の自動車・一般原動機付自転車の通行を禁止しています。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Fry1989 eh? • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
6. Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that vehicles wider than indicated are prohibited. A vehicle or vehicle combination whose overall width, including its load, exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.
English • Traffic sign 322 • Maximum width: 2.2 m. Vehicles wider than 2.2 m must not pass. Include the load when checking width.
日本語 • 322 • 最大幅：2.2 m。 車両の幅が2.2メートルを超える場合は通行できません。積載した貨物の幅も含めて確認してください。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-10-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
7. Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that vehicles higher than indicated are prohibited. A vehicle or vehicle combination whose overall height, including its load, exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.
English • Traffic sign 321 • Height limit: 3.3 m. Vehicles higher than 3.3 m must not pass. Include the load when checking height.
日本語 • 321 • 高さ制限：3.3 m。 車両の高さが3.3メートルを超える場合は通行できません。積載した貨物を含む高さを確認してください。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-10-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
8. Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that vehicles heavier than indicated are prohibited. Vehicles or vehicle combinations exceeding the displayed mass limit may not continue beyond the sign. The legally relevant mass is determined by the applicable local rules.
English • Traffic sign 320 • Mass limit: 5.5 t. Vehicles whose gross mass exceeds 5.5 tonnes must not pass. Include the vehicle, load and other components of gross mass.
日本語 • 320 • 重量制限：5.5 t。 総重量が5.5トンを超える車両は通行できません。車両と積載物などを含む総重量で判断してください。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-08-19. Wikimedia original unmodified.
9. Turning around prohibited (U-turn)
This traffic sign indicates that turning around (making a U-turn) is prohibited. A U-turn may not be made where the prohibition applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.
English • Traffic sign 313 • No U-turns. Turning a vehicle around is prohibited.
日本語 • 313 • 転回禁止。 車両の転回、つまりUターンを禁止しています。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
10. Overtaking prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that overtaking is prohibited. The vehicles covered by the prohibition and any categories that may still be overtaken depend on the applicable local rules.
English • Traffic sign 314 • Do not cross into the right-hand part of the road to overtake. This drawing alone does not prohibit all overtaking that stays out of the right-hand part.
日本語 • 314 • 追越しのための右側部分はみ出し通行禁止。 追越しのために道路の右側部分にはみ出して通行することを禁止しています。この図だけで、右側部分にはみ出さない追越しまで一律に禁止するものではありません。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
11. Start of a speed limit
This traffic sign indicates the start of a speed limit. The displayed value is the maximum permitted speed from this point. The limit remains in force until it ends or is replaced according to the applicable traffic signs and local rules.
English • Traffic sign 323 • Maximum speed: 60 km/h. Observe any lower statutory vehicle-category limit and a speed safe for road conditions.
日本語 • 323 • 最高速度：60 km/h。 表示された最高速度は時速60キロメートルです。車種ごとの、これより低い法定速度や道路状況に応じた安全な速度にも従ってください。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2007-03-19. Wikimedia original unmodified.
12. Parking prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that parking is prohibited. Vehicles may not be parked in the area covered by the sign unless an exception applies. Brief stopping to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods may still be permitted where local rules allow it.
English • Traffic sign 316 • No parking. Vehicles must not park at this location or section.
日本語 • 316 • 駐車禁止。 この場所や区間で車両を駐車することを禁止しています。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.
13. Parking and stopping prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that parking and stopping are prohibited. Vehicles may not stop or park voluntarily where the restriction applies, except where an applicable rule provides an exemption or stopping is required by traffic conditions.
English • Traffic sign 315 • No stopping or parking. Vehicles must not stop or park at this location or section.
日本語 • 315 • 駐停車禁止。 この場所や区間で車両を駐車、停車することを禁止しています。
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
SVG source: Monaneko • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.
