Information Symbols (Pictograms) Useful for Japan Tourism

Useful Pictograms for Tourists in Japan When you visit Japan for tourism, you often rely on signage to navigate your way through various facilities. While you may now encounter tourist information in a variety of languages, Japanese consistently ranks among the top three most challenging languages to learn. This language barrier can pose difficulties for travelers. To assist such travelers, national and local governments have developed “Standard Tourist Pictograms.”

These pictograms serve as powerful allies for tourists, even if you don’t speak Japanese. So, be sure to take advantage of these pictograms when you’re wondering, “Is this the way to the station?” or “Is there an elevator over there?”

Pictograms Developed by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and TourismPublic and General Facilities

Public and General Facilities

Pictograms for guiding to facilities in public and everyday use locations.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	information		Baggage storage		Stairs
	Question & answer		Coin lockers		Nursery
	Hospital		Lounge／Waiting room		Children’s toilet
	First aid		Meeting point Meeting Point Inside the Airport Arrival Lobby		Diaper changing table
	Police		Bank, money exchange		Baby chair
	Toilets		Cash service		Changing board A foldable table for changing clothes installed inside a restroom stall.
	All gender toilet		ATM for oversea cardst		Cloakroom
	Men		Charge point		Dressing room
	Women		Post		Dressing room（women)
	Drinking water		Telephone		Shower
	Smoking area		Wireless LAN		Bath
	Check-in／Reception		Fax		Water fountain
	Lost and found A place where items found by individuals who have lost or misplaced them are temporarily held for safekeeping.		Cart		Prayer room
	Hotel／Accommodation		Elevator		Trash box
	Tickets／Fare adjustment		Escalator		Collection facilitiy for the recycling products A location for recycling item collection.
					Vending machine

Transport Facilities

Pictograms for guiding to facilities around transportation hubs like trains and airplanes.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	Aircraft/Airportr		Car		Arrivals
	Railway／Railway station		Bicycle		Connecting flights
	Ship／ Ferry／ Port		Rental bicycle / Bicycle sharing		Baggage claim
	Helicopter／Heliport		Cable car		Customs／Baggage check
	Bus／Bus stop		Cable railway		Immigration／Quarantine／Inspection
	Taxi／Taxi stop		Parking		Station office／Station staff
	Rent a car		Departures

Commercial Facilities

Pictograms for guiding to facilities within commercial spaces such as shopping malls and department stores.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	Restaurant		Cashier		Barbar／Beauty salon
	Coffee shop		Shop		Baggage delivery service
	Bar		Newspapers, magazines		Convenience store
	Gasoline station		Pharmacy

Tourism, Culture, and Sports Facilities

Pictograms for guiding to facilities around tourist attractions, parks, and cultural or sports venues.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	View point		Swimming place		Audio guide
	Athletic stadium		Ski ground		Museum
	Football stadium		Camp site		Historical monument
	Baseball stadium		Hot spring
	Tennis court		Park

Safety

Pictograms for guiding to facilities related to people’s safety.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	Fire extinguisher		Emergency call button		Emergency exit
	Emergency telephone		Emergency train stop button		Safety evacuation area Designated emergency evacuation site for large-scale fires following an earthquake.

Prohibition

Pictograms indicating prohibited actions in various facilities and areas.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	General prohibition		Do not lean over the platform door		Do not use electronic devices
	No open flame		Do not touch		Do not sit here
	No entry		Do not throw rubbish		No swimming
	No parking		No smoking		Do not use prams
	No bicycles		Not drinking water		Do not eat or drink here
	No admittance		Do not use mobile phones		No camping
	Do not rush		Do not take photographs		No uncaged animals
	Do not touch Do not lean objects on the platform door		Do not take flash photographs

Caution

Pictograms to alert to potential dangers, serving as a warning for caution.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	General caution		Caution, uneven access／down		Caution, overhead
	Caution, obstacles		Caution, slippery surface		Caution, closing doors
	Caution, uneven access／up		Caution, drop		Caution, electricity

Guidance

Pictograms used to convey requests in places where consideration for others is necessary.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	General mandatory		Please stand on the left		Wear a facial mask
	Quiet please		Please stand on the right		Disinfect your hands
	Fasten seatbelt		Keep your physical distance		Please ventilate
					Line up in twos

Accessibility

Pictograms designed to make facilities and services more user-friendly for patrons.

Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings	Pictograms	Meanings
	Communication in the specified language language can be replaced with other languages and flags.		Facilities for Ostomy / Ostomate A facility for individuals with a stoma (artificial anus or bladder) for excretion added to their abdomen.		Calm down,cool down A space where individuals with developmental disorders, intellectual disabilities, mental disorders, dementia, and others who may have difficulty with light, noise, crowds, or being in the public eye, can enter to find solace and calm their emotions.
	Communication：Writing		Facilities for people with disabilities		Slope
					Care bed

In Conclusion

In Osaka’s subway system, routes and lines are easily distinguishable through the use of corporate colors and line-specific colors.

Please consider this information as well.