Bicycles / Motorbikes
Please note that according to the Road Traffic Act, you have to obligatory make the effort to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
"Traffic Safety Guidelines for Pedestrians and Cyclists" created by the National Police Agency provides easy-to-understand guidelines of Japanese traffic rules and how to deal with accidents, so please take time to check it.（National Police Agency）
When you buy a bicycle in Japan
- If you buy a bicycle, you will be required to enroll in an insurance that includes "Bicycle Liability Insurance" such as "the University Co-op's Student Personal Liability Insurance". Enrollment in bicycle liability insurance is mandated by Nagoya city ordinance.
- If you receive a bicycle from someone, please register the bicycle with loss prevention in your own name. If the owner and user of the registration are not the same person, it may be considered theft and a crime may be committed.
- Have the previous owner fill out the "Transference of Ownership of Bicycle" form and receive the receipt to prove the previous registration was deleted, if they have it. Normally, the shop where you purchase the bicycle does registration and deletion, but if you have either the deletion receipt or a Transference of Ownership slip and an ID (Residence card, etc.) you can perform it at any store that allows.
▶ About Bicycle Loss Prevention Registration (in Japanese only)(Aichi Police)
(N.B.) This CERTIFICATE should be carried on your person whenever you ride the bicycle
Commuting to Nagoya University by bicycle
Registration at Higashiyama Campus
Registration is required to commute to Higashiyama campus by bicycle. You have to obtain a "Bicycle Registration Certificate" and put the special sticker to where can be seen clearly such as on a rear fender. Please note that bicycles without the sticker may be removed from campus.
Traffic Control Office (Available in Japanese only)
Registration at Tsurumai Campus / Daiko Campus
Please contact the Student Affairs Division of your school.
Traffic Signs
Watch out for and obey all signs on the roads. The sign of 「止まれ」(Stop!) applies to bicycles, too. Do not ride out blindly onto any roads.
See here for more information on road signs in Japan.
| Stop | Pedestrian and bicycle-only |
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Bicycles
Be aware of the following when riding a bicycle：
- When driving on the road, watch out for cars, and on footpaths, always give priority to pedestrians and drive slowly.
- Mobile phone use while riding is prohibited.
- Using a bicycle after consuming alcohol is punishable by imprisonment or fine.
- Two people riding on the same bicycle is prohibited.
- • Turn your bicycle's light on when it is dark outside.
Please refer to the websites below to learn more about basic traffic rules and bicycle safety:
Traffic safety for cyclists (in Japanese only) (Aichi Police）
Traffic (Aichi Prefectural Government Office)
- If you commit repeated traffic violations by riding dangerously, you will be ordered to attend "Jitensha-untensha-koshu", a lecture on traffic safety for cyclists run by the prefectural public safety commission. A fee is required.
- Do not claim stray bicycles. In most cases they will have been stolen. It is illegal to ride a stolen bicycle.
- Lock your bicycle at all times. (Preferably, double or triple locks)
Cars and Motorbikes
Students are strongly discouraged from driving while studying abroad. Newly arrived students, in particular, are not used to Japanese traffic and are at risk of being involved in accidents. In case of an accident, the amount of compensation usually exceeds the individual’s ability to pay the costs, unless covered by an optional insurance.
If intending to drive, be aware of the following：
- Must have a Japanese driver's license in accordance with Japanese law to drive in Japan. It is prohibited to drive without the license. Your country's driver's license is invalid in Japan. International licenses acquired through the internet are definitely invalid. If you attempt to drive with such documents you will be charged with the crime of driving without a license.
- To obtain a Japanese license, obtain the relevant information from Aichi Police and apply at the Driving License Examination Center in Hirabari, Nagoya.
Driving License (Aichi Police)
The Driving License Examination Center in Hirabari
Tel：052-801-3211 - In case of an accident, the "Ji-Baiseki-Hoken" (obligatory insurance) will not cover all costs by itself. Those who drive should get "Nin-i Hoken" (optional insurance) in addition to the obligatory one. Nagoya University Co-op provides some options for such insurance.
- The parking lots at International Residences and International Ohmeikan are for business use, not for student use.