They often just convey the mundane things which make life go smoothly.
photo by author, 7 May 2009
At intersections in Tokyo, it is not uncommon to find a helpful reminder for cyclists to "Stop!" painted on the left side of the road.
photo by author, 7 May 2009
On the right side of the road is a corresponding graphic to instruct pedestrians that they should "Stop!" also.
These are just like any other stop sign or graphic in any other place, but they are almost always found in pairs. I see them as a reminder to cyclists and pedestrians of which side of the road they are legally supposed to travel on.
Side Note: Cars travel on the left in Japan.
photo by author, 7 May 2009
"Please grasp the handrail!"
This is written along the moving handrail of the escalators throughout Tokyo Terminal train station (the hub of transportation in Tokyo). According to one of my Japanese friends, these special handrails are new. Some of the escalators to train platforms there are very tall, so the danger of not holding on should be obvious, but...
photo by author, 15 Apr 2009
"Firefighting Tap"
In case the sign isn't visible in a hallway full of billowing smoke, it's accompanied by a red flasher light on the wall above it.
photo by author, 15 Apr 2009
"Push button for Blind People"
At crosswalks in Hirakata I often see these buttons installed in columns attached to telephone poles. There isn't always braille accompanying them though. There are also textured tiles on the ground to guide the blind safely on sidewalks.
photo by author, 5 Mar 2009
"Please do not enter beyond this point."
This sign was in the stairwell of the library near where I am living. The top floor was being renovated, but since I took the elevator all the way up I ended up passing this sign as I confusedly made my way down the stairs.
photo by author, 15 Apr 2009
"Register Momentarily Closed
We beg your pardon, but please use a nearby register."
This sign was on the counter at a store in a Japanese "departo" (department store). Departos are really buildings with several stories in which many separate stores occupy small plots without walls on each floor. This store had no other registers, but I was still able to purchase my electronic dictionary at a nearby clothing store without any problems.
photo by author, 22 Apr 2009
"Please take from under this dish."
At this restaurant there was a stack of small dishes for customers to use with whichever sauces they liked. This dish sat at the top of the stack, keeping the ones underneath from getting dusty, and making sure customers knew the dishes were for anybody to use.
photo by author, 6 May 2009
"Smoking on the road is Prohibited"
Smoking is very common in Japan, but in the interest of public health it has been disallowed in many various public spaces. Here is a sign at Shinjuku train station requesting that pedestrians refrain.
