Japan Disaster Prep Guide: Earthquake & Typhoon Tips

2026-08-28 2026-08-26

One of the things that surprises many visitors and new residents in Japan is just how frequent natural disasters are.

That's exactly why "bousai" (防災), or disaster preparedness, matters so much here — staying informed and prepared for earthquakes in Japan should be part of everyday life.

September 1st is known as "Disaster Prevention Day" (防災の日, Bousai no Hi). It was established to honor the lessons of the Great Kanto Earthquake, which struck on this day in 1923, and to raise disaster awareness across the country.

In this guide, we'll walk you through Japan's disaster drill culture, what to do during an earthquake, how to build an emergency kit, and how to set up an emergency contact plan — everything you need for earthquake preparedness in Japan.

Contents

🌪️ Natural Disasters You Should Know About in Japan

Whether you're living in Japan or just visiting, here are the main natural disasters to be aware of:

Earthquakes: Earthquakes occur in Japan year-round. Most are minor tremors, but occasionally a major earthquake can cause significant damage. (Source: Japan Meteorological Agency – About Earthquakes)
Typhoons: Typhoons mainly make landfall from summer through autumn, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges. Heavy rainfall can also trigger landslides in mountainous areas and river flooding, so extra caution is needed. (Source: Japan Meteorological Agency – Typhoon Information)

Since these disasters vary by season and region, it's worth learning about the specific risks in the area where you live or plan to visit.

📱 How Does Japan's Earthquake Early Warning System Work?

In Japan, when an earthquake occurs, your smartphone may suddenly sound a distinctive "woo-woo" alert tone along with an "Earthquake Early Warning" (緊急地震速報) notification.

This earthquake early warning system is designed to alert people in areas likely to experience strong shaking as quickly as possible after an earthquake occurs. (Source: Japan Meteorological Agency – About Earthquake Early Warning)

In areas close to the epicenter, the alert may not arrive in time before strong shaking begins. But in many cases, you'll have anywhere from a few seconds to tens of seconds to take protective action.

If you're using a smartphone in Japan, make sure your device settings allow you to receive earthquake early warnings and other disaster alerts.

For more reliable access to disaster information, it's also a good idea to download the Safety tips app before arriving in Japan.

📱 What Is the Safety Tips App?

Safety tips is a disaster information app designed for foreign travelers in Japan.

It delivers earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings, and weather alerts in multiple languages.

If you've ever worried about "not being able to read Japanese" or "not knowing where to evacuate," this app is built to solve exactly that problem — making it one of the most useful earthquake alert apps for Japan.

Be sure to check the official website for the latest supported languages before your trip.

🏫 Japan's Disaster Drill Culture at Schools, Companies, and Communities

In Japan, schools, companies, and local communities regularly hold evacuation drills as part of the broader earthquake preparedness culture.

Drills are especially common around Disaster Prevention Day, so if you get the chance to join one, it's a great way to learn firsthand.

Schools: Many schools conduct evacuation drills for earthquakes and fires several times a year, teaching children from a young age how to protect themselves during a disaster.
Companies: Office buildings often hold drills to review evacuation routes and practice using fire extinguishers.
Communities (neighborhood associations): Local resident-run community organizations often practice safety check-ins and walk through designated evacuation sites together.

This tradition of repeated drills, starting from childhood, is one of the defining features of Japan's disaster preparedness culture.

⚡ What to Do During an Earthquake in Japan

Protect yourself first: Get under a table or desk and cover your head. The basic rule is "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" — stay low, protect your head, and don't move.
Don't move around while shaking continues: Trying to reach the kitchen to turn off a stove during strong shaking is dangerous. Prioritize your immediate safety first, and check on other things once the shaking stops.
Check your evacuation route: Once the shaking has stopped, check your surroundings for hazards, and secure a safe route if evacuation is necessary.
Don't use elevators: If you need to evacuate, use the stairs instead of the elevator.
Be alert for tsunamis near the coast: If you feel strong shaking or a tsunami warning is issued, move away from the coast and head to higher ground or a designated evacuation site.
Check for updates: Stay informed through TV, radio, or disaster apps for the latest information. (Source: Japan Meteorological Agency – Disaster Information Portal)

🏨 What to Do If an Earthquake Hits While You're Traveling or Staying at a Hotel

If an earthquake happens while you're traveling, it helps to know your hotel's evacuation routes and nearest evacuation site in advance.

Many hotels post evacuation maps on the back of guest room doors.

If an earthquake occurs, stay calm, protect yourself first, and once the shaking stops, follow the instructions of hotel staff.

If evacuation becomes necessary, always use the stairs — never the elevator.

🎒 Building an Emergency Kit at Home

Many households in Japan keep an emergency "go-bag" and home stockpile ready in case of disaster.

Here's a general earthquake emergency kit checklist commonly recommended in Japan:

Water: About 3 liters per person per day, enough for at least 3 days — ideally a full week.
Non-perishable food: Retort pouch meals, canned goods, and alpha rice (instant rice) that can be stored long-term.
Portable battery & flashlight: Useful for gathering information and providing light during power outages.
Portable radio: A reliable way to get updates even without power.
First-aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic, and any regular medications you take.
Cash (including small bills and coins): Cashless payment may not work during power outages, so keeping cash on hand is a smart move.
Portable toilet: Essential if water or sewage systems are disrupted.
Warm clothing & rain gear: Useful for shelter life regardless of the season.

Building your kit is only the first step — remember to check expiration dates regularly and adjust the contents based on the season and your family's needs.

For more detail, Tokyo's official disaster preparedness handbook, "Tokyo Bousai," offers a full emergency kit checklist and action flowcharts, available in multiple languages including English.

🏠 How Our Family Practices Disaster Preparedness

In our household, we've made it a habit to focus on disaster preparedness not only on Disaster Prevention Day, but also on March 11th — the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Around this time, the news often covers footage of past disasters and memorial programs, which naturally puts us in the right mindset to take preparedness seriously.

Here's a bit of what our family has actually done:

■ Visiting a Disaster Simulation Center

When our kids were younger, we used to visit our local disaster prevention center quite often. Admission is free, and visitors can learn about earthquakes, heavy rain, and other disasters through hands-on simulations. It's a fun, engaging way for kids to build disaster awareness, so it's a great option for families with young children.

Reference: Kyoto City Disaster Prevention Center

■ Securing Furniture

We secured our tall shelving units to the wall to prepare for earthquakes. That said, we still have a few spots we haven't gotten to yet — something we know we need to finish (we're still a work in progress on this one).

■ Buying Nice Canned Food

At home, we keep a bit of extra water and long-lasting food on hand from our regular grocery shopping, using up the older items first and restocking as we go — a method known as "rolling stock" or "eat and replace."

On Disaster Prevention Day, we also like to treat ourselves to a slightly fancier can of food we wouldn't normally buy. It's become a small yearly tradition — and a good chance to double-check that our premium canned goods haven't passed their expiration date.

■ Buying a Portable Gas Stove

Last year, we bought a portable gas burner (cassette stove) in case our regular gas supply is cut off. It means we can still cook a hot meal even during a power outage or water shortage, which is a real peace of mind.

■ Picking Up Disaster Supplies

This past March 11th, we picked up a set of disaster supplies from a 100-yen shop (a store where every item costs 100 yen). We've only bought them so far and haven't really checked what's inside yet — I'm curious whether 100-yen gear actually holds up. This upcoming Disaster Prevention Day seems like the perfect opportunity to finally open everything up and take a closer look.

I'll share how it goes — what's actually inside and whether it's any good — in our newsletter. If you haven't signed up yet, you can do so near the bottom of this article.

📞 Setting Up Emergency Contacts and a Family Communication Plan

Phone lines can become congested and hard to connect during a disaster.

That's why it's important to set up a communication plan with your family and loved ones in advance.

Learn how to use the Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171) and disaster message boards with your family ahead of time.
Decide on a family meeting point in advance: Since designated evacuation sites vary by area, check yours ahead of time.
Agree on how you'll confirm each other's safety through social media or messaging apps.

If you're a foreign resident or visitor, it's also a good idea to tell family and friends back home how to reach you and how to check on your safety in case of a disaster in Japan.

🚨 Emergency Phone Numbers in Japan

In Japan, dial the following numbers in an emergency:

110: Police
119: Fire & Ambulance

Save these emergency phone numbers in Japan to your phone before you travel for extra peace of mind.

🚶 What to Do If You Become Stranded After a Disaster

Right after a major earthquake, trains and buses can be suspended for extended periods.

In urban areas, this can lead to large numbers of people attempting to walk home, creating a phenomenon known as "kitaku konnansha" (帰宅困難者), or stranded commuters.

Rather than forcing your way home on foot, it's often safer to stay put at your workplace or wherever you are.
Designated convenience stores and other partner locations may serve as "disaster relief stations for stranded commuters", offering water and restroom access.
Conserve your smartphone battery and only check essential information.

🗣️ Multilingual Support Is Available During a Disaster

If you're not confident in your Japanese, many local governments operate multilingual disaster support centers that provide information and consultation in multiple languages.

NPOs and volunteer organizations may also offer multilingual disaster information.

Check your local municipality's website — or the municipality where you're traveling — in advance, so you know exactly where to turn for information when a disaster strikes.

🌏 In Summary

Japan is a country prone to natural disasters, but it also has well-developed knowledge, training, and systems for disaster preparedness.

By understanding the purpose behind school and workplace drills, and by preparing your own emergency kit and communication plan at home, you'll be able to stay calm and act confidently when it matters most.

Just like our own family does, picking meaningful dates — like Disaster Prevention Day or March 11th — to check in on your preparedness each year is a simple, sustainable way to stay ready without it feeling like a chore.

With the mindset of "sonaeareba ureinashi" (備えあれば憂いなし) — "being prepared means having nothing to fear" — you can enjoy your life or travels in Japan with peace of mind.