Isao Yamazaki (road sign enthusiast)
Yamazaki Gaku: Photographed over 4,000 road signs in all 47 prefectures. Operates the website "Road Sign Tour." Author of "Strange Arrow Signs." X: @unusuarrows
Lovely signs silently fulfilling their mission
Have you ever taken a close look at road signs? When I was a child, I noticed a traffic textbook and became fascinated by the page listing road signs. Ever since then, I have been following road signs closely.
What particularly appeals to enthusiasts are the "No Proceeding Outside the Specified Direction" signs. These indicate the permitted and prohibited directions of travel. Due to their nature, they are unique and must be adapted to the shape of the intersection, so I collect and photograph them, nicknamed "irregular arrows."
What kind of fun can you have? For example, the "strange arrow" in Toshima, Kita Ward is super complicated! At the "Yotsugibashi Minami" intersection in Sumida Ward, there is an extremely creepy arrow that looks like a monster. In front of Hibarigaoka Station in Nishitokyo City, an arrow suddenly makes a U-turn! The more complicated and bizarre it is, the more irresistible it is! Every time you see such a sign, you can't help but wonder, "Why did it end up in this shape?" and become intrigued.
Even more profound is the straightness of the lines. Do you prefer a meandering or a crisp arrow? This is also a matter of personal preference. If you're into the former, the beguiling arrow at the "Yoshiya" intersection in Adachi Ward is a must-have. If you're into the latter, the clean, straight arrow at the "Shimurasakaue" intersection in Itabashi Ward is a must-have.
There are also some that make you think, "This shape looks like that!" In Senju Sakuragi, Adachi Ward, there are cute arrows that look like plants. Some look like people or letters. They are meant to be serious, but they end up in unexpectedly strange shapes, and that's what makes them so adorable... The signs are working hard today as well.
Super complex arrow
Located on the north side of Oji Station, the elevated Oji-kita ramp of the Metropolitan Expressway passes overhead. The road running diagonally parallel to it is Tokyo Metropolitan Route 306, which is separated into inbound and outbound lanes to avoid the piers of the Metropolitan Expressway. Traffic on the road requires left-hand traffic, so turning right or left is restricted. The alleyway in front is a one-way exit, making it a complicated intersection where entry is prohibited.
Address: Near Toshima 1-11, Kita-ku | map
Strange Arrow
It is located at the intersection south of Yotsugi Bridge over the Arakawa River. If you head straight southeast from Kanegafuchi Station, you will come to this intersection with National Route 6 (Mito Kaido). The sign is located in a narrow alley that branches off from the street at Kanegafuchi Station. There are many intersecting roads, but this sign restricts you to only turning right.
Address: Near 5-39 Higashimukojima, Sumida-ku | Map
U-turn arrow
It is located next to the south exit rotary of Hibarigaoka Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. If you go south from the north side of the station and cross the tracks, you cannot go straight because the road in front of you is a one-way exit. To get to Tanashi from here, you need to follow this sign and turn around into the station rotary, then go around and come out onto Yato Shinmichi.
Address: Near Sumiyoshicho 3-9, Nishitokyo City | Map
Squiggly arrow
Adachi Ward's "Yonke" intersection. Heading north from Gotanno Station, you'll see this sign. The intersection is a six-way intersection, and although it's a narrow road, there's a lot of traffic. Right turns are prohibited during the day from any direction, so the arrows on the signs from different directions are slightly different in shape, making it a very interesting intersection.
Address: Near Chuo Honmachi 3-11, Adachi Ward | Map
Crisp Arrow
It is located at the Shimura-sakaue intersection in Itabashi Ward, midway along the Nakasendo road. There are two roads where you can turn left, but the one in front is Shiroyama-dori, where the Shimura Ginza shopping arcade is located, and behind that is the old Nakasendo road, which leads to Shimizu-zaka, once known as the "first difficult section of the Nakasendo road." Azusawa-dori stretches out to the right, but this sign prohibits right turns during the day.
Address: Near Shimura 1-14, Itabashi Ward | Map
Plant-like arrows
It is located northwest of the "Senju Sakuragicho" intersection in Adachi Ward. It meets the Arakawa River embankment, and the roads that run above and below the embankment are parallel, resulting in this shape. Right turns are prohibited here, and left turns are required for both roads. There are many irregular intersections along this embankment, and you can also see other "irregular arrows."
Address: Near 2-14 Senju Sakuragi, Adachi Ward | Map
