I don’t live in Japan at the moment, but I did a long time ago. I’ve been back every year for 20+ years, driving every time. I’ve driven everywhere in Japan South of Kanazawa, and I don’t know why it’s hitting me now as I’m driving through Shizuoka, but I don’t ever remember seeing a traffic circle. Like ever, except maybe in a parking lot. Are there any places in Japan that have them or even where they’re common?
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/xb3uzz/no_traffic_circles_roundabouts_in_japan/
1 comment
> Are there any places in Japan … where they’re common?
Sure!
Most train stations in Japan have a traffic circle with three to five roads coming off of it.
The [Asahikawa Tokiwa rotary[(https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%AD%E5%B7%9D%E5%B8%B8%E7%9B%A4%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC) built in 1936 is well known.
Otherwise, Japan traffic planners think in general, the required area for traffic circles is excessive and it is difficult to adopt in urban areas where it is difficult to secure land.