Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatOne-Way (一方通行) vs Left-Turn-OK (左折可) Signs in Japan
Updated: 2026-10
A white arrow on a blue background is the 一方通行 (ippō tsūkō, one-way) sign: vehicles may not travel against the arrow. A blue arrow on a white background is the 左折可 (sasetsu-ka, left turn permitted) board: even when the signal ahead is red or yellow, you may turn left while watching other traffic. The colors are simply reversed, but the meanings are completely different, and the test asks whether "these two mean the same thing" (they do not).
Legal definitions and comparison table
一方通行 is regulatory sign 326 in Appended Table 1 of the Order on Road Signs, meaning "prohibiting vehicles from traveling in the direction opposite to the arrow on the sign". It stands at the start of a one-way section and at points within it.
左折可 is not a road sign but a board attached to traffic signals. Article 2(2) of the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Order (道路交通法施行令) says that where the Public Safety Commission indicates that left turns are allowed at an intersection, the meaning of that intersection's yellow and red lights includes "may turn left". The Rules of the Road likewise explain that when a white board with a blue left arrow is at the left edge of the road or on the signal, vehicles may turn left even if the signal ahead is red or yellow.
| Point | One-way (一方通行) | Left turn permitted (左折可) |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | White arrow on blue | Blue arrow on white (blue frame) |
| Type | Regulatory sign | Board attached to traffic signals |
| Meaning | No vehicles against the arrow | May turn left even on red or yellow |
| Where it stands | Start of and within a one-way section | Left edge of the road at an intersection, or on the signal |
| Arrow direction | Direction you may go (up, left, right...) | Left |
| Pedestrians | (normal rules apply) | Do not obstruct pedestrians or cyclists crossing on their signal |
| Sign at the other end | The exit often has 車両進入禁止 (no entry) | None |
The 左折可 board: left on red, but pedestrians first
With a 左折可 board, you may turn left even when the signal ahead is red or yellow. However, the Rules of the Road say you "must not obstruct pedestrians, specified small motorized bicycles or bicycles crossing in accordance with the signal". If the pedestrian light is green and people are crossing, stop and wait.
The turn itself is a normal left turn: move as close to the left edge as possible beforehand and go slowly (徐行) along the left edge (Article 34(1)). Signal 30 meters before the turn.
In Japan, a left turn on a red or yellow signal is allowed only at intersections with the 左折可 board. Without the board, you must stop at the stop position on red.
Driving on one-way roads: sometimes you keep right
On a one-way road there is no oncoming traffic, so some rules change. The test often asks about these "keep right on one-way roads" exceptions.
- Turning right: move as close to the right edge as possible beforehand and go slowly just inside the center of the intersection (Article 34(4)). On ordinary roads you move to the center
- Right half of the road: on a one-way road you may drive on the part right of the center (Article 17(5)(i))
- Emergency vehicles approaching: pull over to the left as a rule, but if that would block the emergency vehicle, pull over to the right (Article 40(1))
- Overtaking on the left: when the car ahead has moved to the right edge to turn right, pass it on its left (Rules of the Road)
The no-entry sign (車両進入禁止) at the exit of a one-way road
The exit end of a one-way road usually has the red circle with a white bar, 車両進入禁止 (sign 303), which bans vehicles from entering in the prohibited direction. Learn them as a pair: from the entrance you see the blue arrow (一方通行), from the exit you see the red sign (車両進入禁止).
The one-way rule applies to vehicles, so pedestrians may walk in both directions. If a supplementary sign excludes certain vehicle types, those vehicles may also travel in the opposite direction.
Tricky test questions and answers
These question types appear on the knowledge test.
Example 1 (one-way sign): "この標識は、白地に青の左向き矢印が描かれた「左折可」の標示板と同じ意味である。" (This sign means the same as the 左折可 board with a blue left arrow on white.) Answer: False (×). The white arrow on blue is the one-way sign; the blue arrow on white is the 左折可 board, and they mean different things. 左折可 means you may turn left even on red or yellow.
Example 2: "一方通行の道路で右折するときは、あらかじめできるだけ道路の右端に寄り、交差点の中心の内側を徐行しなければならない。" (When turning right on a one-way road, move as close to the right edge as possible beforehand and go slowly inside the center of the intersection.) Answer: True (○). With no oncoming traffic, you turn right from the right edge.
Example 3: "一方通行の道路で緊急自動車が近づいてきた場合、左側に寄るとかえって緊急自動車の妨げになるときは、右側に寄って進路を譲る。" (On a one-way road, if pulling left would block an approaching emergency vehicle, pull right to give way.) Answer: True (○). Pulling left is the rule, with this one-way exception.
Practice sign and intersection questions in your language
Two arrows with reversed colors are an easy pair to confuse in picture questions. menkyopass's license conversion (外免切替) drill lets you practice sign, signal and intersection questions with explanations in Vietnamese, English, Chinese and Japanese (the first mock test and 3 topics are free; all questions are a one-time ¥2,980).
Practice questions using this term
- This sign has the same meaning as the 'Left Turn Permitted' board, which shows a blue left arrow on a white background.
- When turning right on a one-way road, you must move as close as possible to the right edge of the road in advance, and drive slowly through the inside of the intersection's center.
- On a one-way road, if pulling over to the left would actually get in the emergency vehicle's way, you pull over to the right to give way.
FAQ
Q. With a 左折可 board, may I turn left on red without stopping?
A. You may turn left, but you must not obstruct pedestrians or cyclists crossing on their signal. Watch the traffic around you and stop to wait if needed.
Q. Can I turn left on a red light in Japan?
A. Not as a rule. Only at intersections with the 左折可 board may you turn left on a red or yellow signal.
Q. Can pedestrians and cyclists go the wrong way on a one-way road?
A. Pedestrians can. A bicycle is a vehicle, so as a rule it may not go against the arrow, unless a supplementary sign excludes bicycles.
Q. Where do I position the car to turn right on a one-way road?
A. Move as close to the right edge as possible beforehand and go slowly inside the center of the intersection. On ordinary roads you move to the center.