Common Signs and Symbols You’ll See in Japan — A Guide for Travellers

Introduction

When travelling in Japan, you’ll quickly notice that signs and symbols are everywhere — in train stations, restaurants, shops, and public spaces.

Many of these signs are designed to be easy to understand, even without English. However, some can still be confusing at first, especially if you’re not familiar with Japanese characters or local customs.

The good news is that once you recognise a few key signs, navigating Japan becomes much easier.

✨ Want to feel more confident understanding everyday Japanese during your trip?Our 2-hour Japanese for Travel Session helps you learn practical language for real-life situations — from reading signs to simple conversations.👉 Travel smarter and with more confidence — book your session here.

1. Basic Entrance and Exit Signs

These are some of the most common signs you’ll see in Japan, especially in stations, buildings, and restaurants.

入口 (Iriguchi) – Entrance

出口 (Deguchi) – Exit

自動ドア – Automatic door

関係者以外立入禁止 – Staff only / No entry

Even if you don’t read Japanese, recognising the shapes of these characters helps you move around more easily.

■入口 (Iriguchi) – Entrance、出口 (Deguchi) – Exit

■自動ドア – Automatic door

2. Shop and Restaurant Signs

When exploring cities or neighbourhoods, you’ll often see simple signs outside shops and restaurants.

営業中 – Open

準備中 – Not open yet / Closed

閉店 – Closed

定休日 – Closed

ラストオーダー – Last order

Tip: “準備中” can be confusing — it often means the shop is not open yet, even if staff are inside.

■営業中 – Open、準備中 – Not open yet / Closed、閉店 – Closed、定休日 – Closed

3. Common Direction Signs

In stations and public facilities, direction signs are usually very clear and often include English.

トイレ / WC / お手洗い– Toilet

エレベーター – Elevator

エスカレーター – Escalator

案内所 – Information centre

These signs are usually accompanied by icons, making them easier to recognise quickly.

■トイレ / WC / お手洗い– Toilet

■エレベーター – Elevator

■エスカレーター – Escalator

4. Common Public Pictograms

Japan is known for its clear and well-designed pictograms.

You’ll often see:

• No smoking signs

• Priority seating symbols

• Wheelchair access symbols

• Baby stroller symbols

Even without reading the text, these symbols are usually easy to understand.

■No smoking signs

■Priority seating symbols

5. Warning and Safety Signs

You may also come across signs that indicate rules or safety instructions.

立入禁止 – No entry

撮影禁止 – No photography

危険 – Danger

非常口 – Emergency exit

These are especially common in museums, stations, and construction areas.

■撮影禁止 – No photography

■非常口 – Emergency exit

6. Signs That May Surprise Visitors

Some signs reflect cultural differences and may surprise first-time visitors.

• Signs asking people to be quiet

• No eating while walking

• Shoes-off areas

• Detailed rubbish separation signs

These signs help maintain order and cleanliness in public spaces.

■Signs asking people to be quiet

■Shoes-off areas

Conclusion

Japan’s signs and symbols are designed to guide people clearly and efficiently.

By learning a few key words and recognising common pictograms, you can navigate stations, shops, and public spaces with much more confidence.

Even a small understanding of Japanese can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

If you’d like to prepare before your trip, our Japanese for Travel Session can help you understand everyday Japanese and feel more comfortable exploring Japan independently.