Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatWhat does 横断歩道 (ōdan hodō) mean? Stop, 30 m and 5 m
Updated: 2026-10
横断歩道 (おうだんほどう, ōdan hodō) is a part of the road marked by a sign or road marking as a place for pedestrians to cross (Road Traffic Act (道路交通法) Art. 2(1)(iv)). Unless it is clear that nobody is about to cross, drivers must slow to a speed at which they can stop before it, and if someone is crossing or about to cross, they must come to a complete stop (一時停止) (Art. 38). 'Slowing down (徐行) and giving way is enough' is false — a classic test item.
Legal definition and how to recognise it
Article 2(1)(iv) defines 横断歩道 as 'a part of the road indicated by road signs or road markings as a place for pedestrians to cross'.
The sign is an instruction sign (指示標識) with a white pedestrian on a blue background (教則 Appendix 3). The yellow diamond with children, 'school, kindergarten or nursery ahead', looks similar but is a warning sign (警戒標識). A diamond (◇) painted on the road gives advance notice of a pedestrian or bicycle crossing ahead.
Spelling and reading: 横断歩道 (おうだんほどう / ōdan hodō). The bicycle version is the bicycle crossing lane (自転車横断帯); the Article 38 rules apply to both in the same way.
Three levels of duty when approaching (Art. 38(1))
What you must do depends on whether pedestrians are present. If there is a stop line (停止線), stop just before the stop line.
| Situation | Driver's duty | Typical false wording |
|---|---|---|
| Clearly nobody is crossing | You may proceed | You must always stop |
| Unclear whether someone will cross | Slow to a speed at which you can stop before it | You may pass at the same speed |
| Someone is crossing or about to cross | Stop completely before it and do not obstruct them | Slow down and give way |
Rules around the crossing (the numbers)
Around crossings, the distance figures are tested directly.
- If a vehicle is stopped before the crossing, stop completely before passing beside it to move ahead (Art. 38(2))
- On the crossing and within 30 m before it: both overtaking (追越し) and passing without changing lanes (追抜き) are prohibited (Art. 30(iii), Art. 38(3)). Only pedestrian and bicycle crossings ban 追抜き as well
- On the crossing and within 5 m before and after it: no stopping or parking (Art. 44(i), (iii))
- At or near an intersection without a crossing, you must not obstruct pedestrians who are crossing (Art. 38-2)
- At a signal with no stop line, stop just before the pedestrian crossing (教則 Appendix 1)
Rules for pedestrians
Near a pedestrian crossing, pedestrians must cross by using it (Art. 12(1)). They must not cross diagonally, except at intersections where signs allow it (Art. 12(2)).
How it is tested and the traps
Example 1: 'When a pedestrian is about to use a crossing, it is enough to slow down and give way' → False. You must stop completely.
Example 2: 'When a vehicle is stopped before a crossing, you must stop before passing beside it to move ahead' → True. A pedestrian may be hidden behind it.
Example 3: 'On a crossing and within 30 m before it, not only overtaking but also passing is prohibited' → True.
Typical traps swap the numbers (30 m and 5 m) or replace 'stop completely' with 'slow down'.
Practise in your own language
Since October 2025, the knowledge test is 50 true/false questions in 30 minutes, and you need 45 correct. Pedestrian crossings link three topics: pedestrian protection, overtaking and parking. menkyopass explains each question in English (first mock test and 3 topics free).
Practice questions using this term
- The Pedestrian Crossing sign is an instruction sign showing a pedestrian in white on a blue background.
- At a place away from any intersection, where there is no pedestrian crossing, bicycle crossing lane, or railroad crossing, if a traffic light is installed you must stop just before the traffic light.
- When a pedestrian is about to cross at a pedestrian crossing, it is enough to slow down and let the pedestrian go.
- When you approach a pedestrian crossing and it is not clear whether anyone is going to cross, you must reduce speed so that you can stop just before the crossing.
- When another vehicle is stopped just before a pedestrian crossing, you must stop before passing alongside it and moving ahead of it.
- When a bicycle is about to cross at a bicycle crossing lane, you must stop just before it and give way, the same as for pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing.
- When a pedestrian is crossing at or near an intersection that has no pedestrian crossing, you must not obstruct the pedestrian.
- At a pedestrian crossing and within 30 meters before it, not only overtaking but also passing is prohibited.
FAQ
Q. Do I have to stop if there are no pedestrians?
A. If it is clear that nobody is crossing, you may proceed. If it is unclear, slow to a speed at which you can stop before the crossing.
Q. How close to a crossing can I park?
A. Stopping and parking are prohibited on the crossing and within 5 m before and after it.
Q. May I pass the car ahead just before a crossing?
A. No. On the crossing and within 30 m before it, both overtaking and passing are prohibited.
Q. Do the same rules apply to bicycle crossing lanes?
A. Yes. If a cyclist is about to cross, stop just before it and give way. The 30 m and 5 m rules are the same.