Bicycle one-way lanes? Confusing traffic signs in Tokyo that baffle foreign tourists

Travelers who love visiting Japan know that, like the UK, Japan drives on the left. Only Osaka is said to drive on the right due to hosting a World Expo in the past. Aside from the left-right driving confusion, signs or maps that are indecipherable and impossible to guess also leave non-Japanese speakers completely puzzled.

%级?┧淙挥涤蟹奖愕牡叵绿?低常??矶嗳巳韵肮咦孕锌?瞪下贰Ｍ嘉??┙滞肥疽馔肌（图／取自维基百科)

"What bothers me the most is that I often can't understand the signs on the street!" said one American. Although there are many signs with illustrations that are fun to look at, he couldn’t understand what they meant at all. He further pointed out: "Although there are maps in many places, because I can’t read kanji, I still can’t find my way."

In addition, differences in left-right driving habits also bother some foreigners who drive in Tokyo. One German said that although he has been in Japan for more than three years, he still finds it very difficult to get used to driving on the left. As a result, whether turning left or right while driving, other cars suddenly cut in.

However, despite many complaints about road conditions, foreigners generally speak highly of Japan’s roads, especially impressed by Japanese traffic etiquette. "Whenever I see ambulances approaching, vehicles on the road immediately make way, and I get a feeling of 'this is so Japan.'" Additionally, the friendly and polite attitude of Japanese police also leaves a deep impression on many foreigners.

For those of us whose native language is Chinese, compared to other foreigners, it’s relatively easier to understand the kanji instructions on traffic signs. But sometimes the meaning of the kanji is not what we think it is. Below are a few Japanese traffic signs—see how many you can understand just by looking at the images.

%蓟?藕镒哟?怼靶⌒亩?锍雒弧报左 image), of course, it’s not just monkeys—there are also drawings of rabbits, deer, foxes, and others; the sign that looks like a carp streamer (right image) indicates "watch out for side winds." (Image / From Wikipedia, the same below)

%家韵碌慕煌ê胖舅坪醣冉仙偌??笸嫉暮胖驹谌毡敬?怼俺?付ǚ较蛲饨?故蝗搿保蝗毡救顺?丝?低舛嗥镒孕谐担?虼艘灿χ胁簧儆泄刈孕谐档慕煌ê胖荆?彝荚蚴?quot;bicycle-only lane" sign /strong>