List of Japanese map symbols
This is a list of symbols appearing on Japanese maps. These symbols are called in the Japanese language. They are standardized by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan and the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses. These two sources generally agree, but they have alternative forms for a few symbols.
Because these symbols were developed within a specifically Japanese cultural setting, alternative symbols have been developed for some meanings that are more consistent with worldwide symbol usage or more obvious in what they depict.
Partial list of symbols for users with visual impairment
Official symbols according to the conventions of the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan appear with a circle below.| Symbol | GSI | Meaning | Unicode | Description |
| ○ | Base triangulation surveying point | Dot in upward-pointing triangle | ||
| ○ | Electronic triangulation point | Dot in upward-pointing triangle with flag | ||
| ○ | Benchmark | Dot in square | ||
| ○ | Factory | Gear without hub | ||
| ○ | Lighthouse | Map symbol for lighthouse | ||
| ○ | Power station | Gear with handles | ||
| ○ | Elementary or junior high school | Kanji | ||
| ○ | High school | Kanji in a circle | ||
| ○ | University | Kanji with a smaller kanji 大 in brackets on top | ||
| ○ | Technical college | Kanji with a smaller kanji 専 in brackets on top | ||
| ○ | Post office | Down tack with overbar in circle | ||
| × | Sub post office | Down tack with overbar | ||
| ○ | Police station | Heavy circled saltire | ||
| ○ | Kōban | Diagonal cross | ||
| ○ | Public health centre | Greek cross in circle | ||
| ○ | Hospital | Greek cross in shield | ||
| ○ | Prefectural Office | Oval bullseye | ||
| ○ | City hall | Heavy circle with circle inside | ||
| ○ | Ward office | Fisheye | ||
| ○ | Town hall | Heavy circle | ||
| ○ | Shinto shrine | Shinto shrine | ||
| ○ | Buddhist temple | |||
| ○ | Castle | Castle | ||
| ○ | Cemetery | Headstone graveyard symbol | ||
| ○ | Onsen | Oval with three vertical wavy lines | ||
| ○ | Historical landmark | Historic site | ||
| ○ | Summit | Mountain |