Japanese Signboard is unique, and it’s kind of Japanese culture.
When you visit in Japan, you’ll see many kinds of signboards around you.
Let’s see what they mean!
What is “Guide signs”?
If you walk around the city, you’ll notice there are so many guide signs in each conjunction of the streets like an above photo. This kind of sign gives us the information about how we can get to the destination, by indicating the direction with the distance.
As a general measurement of the distance in Japan, “meters” (m) is used in general.
1m (meter) = 3.2 feet, and 1 Km (kilo meter) = 0.62 mile.
For example, according to the above photo, if you want to get to “Akihabara Station”, you need to turn left at the conjunction, then it takes about 120 meters (=384 feet).
What is “Regulatory signs”?
Regulatory sings indicate the road regulatory condition in the street or general traffic rule to prevent dangers such as car hitting incidents.
The above photo, red and downward-pointing triangle sign means “Stop”, “止まれ, Tomare” in Japanese. In front of this sign, every car (and bike) need to stop for other cars or pedestrian.
This above blue sign indicates “This road is only for pedestrians”. Please don’t misunderstand “This road is dangerous because of kidnapping”….
What kind of “Emergency signs” are there in Japan?
This is “Tsunami” sign which let you recognize that the place is nearby the sea and may be in danger of Tsunami coming, once big earthquake would happen.
As you might know well, Japan is “an earthquake country”.
if you feel an earthquake by the sea, please don’t hesitate to move to higher place immediately. After moving to the safe place, you should call anyone or collect the necessary information.
Other signboard…
Bank signboards
You see lots of commercial company’s signboard in Japan.
Especially, since there are so many “banks” in Japan, I suppose you often see colorful signboard of various signboard of “銀行” (gin-kou) which means “Bank” like the above picture.
When you go shopping, “cash” is still main payment resource at shops and restaurants of Japan.
If your bank card would be used internationally, you can withdraw cash of Japan Yen from ATM which every banks put in the building.
Commercial advertisement signboards
I think you easily come to mind Japanese big neon signboard. This is a famous signboard of “Glico Man” located at Doutonbori in Osaka, west side of Japan.
You will have opportunities to see big billboards at the top of buildings.
Japanese commercial advertisements are always so unique, and dynamic.
Construction area signboards
This signboard is put nearby construction areas. The man in the board is apologizing to pedestrian walking there because the construction activity bothers their walking on the street. In general, as you might know, Japanese is prone to apology at any time.
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