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 (important)
- 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, you must register the bicycle in your own name. If the owner and user of the registration are not the same person, it may be considered theft and crime may be committed. Have the previous owner filled out the "Transference of Ownership of Bicycle" form and keep it to prove that the previous registration was deleted. Normally, the shop where you purchase the bicycle does registration and deletion.
▶ About Bicycle Loss Prevention Registration (in Japanese only)(Aichi Police)
(N.B.) This CERTIFICATE should be carried with you 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.
The process for issuing a bicycle registration certificate on the Higashiyama Campus (available in Japanese only)
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. 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.
- 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.
- Please do not take the abandoned bicycles. In most cases they 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.