Introduction
Earthquakes are part of life in Japan.
Most earthquakes are small and pass quickly, but travelers should still know what to do before one happens. If you are in a hotel, train station, restaurant, shop, or near the coast, the right action can depend on where you are.
The goal is not to scare you. Japan is well prepared for earthquakes, and buildings, trains, hotels, and public facilities usually have safety systems and procedures. But first-time visitors may not understand alarms, announcements, evacuation signs, or tsunami warnings.
This guide explains basic earthquake safety for travelers in Japan.
Quick Answer
If an earthquake happens in Japan:
- Stay calm.
- Protect your head.
- Move away from glass, shelves, and falling objects.
- If indoors, get under a sturdy table if possible.
- Do not rush outside during shaking.
- If near the coast, watch for tsunami warnings and move to higher ground.
- Follow hotel, station, shop, or local staff instructions.
- Keep your phone charged.
- Save emergency information before your trip.
JNTO’s Safety Tips information explains that when an Earthquake Early Warning is issued, you should remain calm and ensure your safety first. It also recommends evacuating to higher ground after strong or long-lasting shaking near the coast because of tsunami risk. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Earthquake Early Warnings
Japan has Earthquake Early Warnings.
You may hear a loud alert from:
- Smartphone
- TV
- Radio
- Train announcement
- Building speaker
- Hotel system
- Public alert speaker
The warning may come only seconds before strong shaking.
If you hear an alert, do not freeze.
Quickly protect yourself.
If indoors, stay away from windows, shelves, lights, and objects that may fall.
If you are in bed, protect your head with a pillow.
If you are walking outside, move away from walls, signs, vending machines, and glass.
If You Are in a Hotel
If you are in a hotel room during an earthquake:
- Stay calm.
- Protect your head.
- Move away from windows and mirrors.
- Do not run into the hallway during shaking.
- Open the door after shaking stops if it is safe.
- Put on shoes before walking.
- Check hotel announcements.
- Follow staff instructions.
Do not use elevators after a strong earthquake unless staff say it is safe.
Keep your phone, shoes, flashlight, and room key in a place you can find quickly at night.
This is especially useful in unfamiliar hotel rooms.
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If You Are in a Train Station
Stations can feel confusing during an earthquake, but staff are trained for emergencies.
If shaking starts:
- Move away from platform edges.
- Hold a pillar or stable object if needed.
- Protect your head.
- Avoid rushing toward exits.
- Listen for announcements.
- Follow station staff instructions.
Train services may stop for safety checks.
Do not panic if trains are delayed.
After a strong earthquake, transport may be paused until tracks, signals, bridges, and stations are checked.
If You Are on a Train
If an earthquake happens while you are on a train, the train may stop suddenly.
Hold on firmly.
Stay inside unless staff tell you otherwise.
Do not force doors open.
Do not walk on tracks.
Wait for announcements from train staff.
Even if the stop feels long, it is usually part of the safety process.
Keep your phone battery ready, but avoid using too much battery if transport delays continue.
If You Are Outside
If you are walking outside during an earthquake:
- Move away from buildings.
- Avoid glass windows.
- Avoid walls and vending machines.
- Watch for falling signs.
- Protect your head with a bag if possible.
- Do not stand under old walls or roof tiles.
- Move to an open area if safe.
Japanese cities have many signs, poles, wires, and narrow streets.
The safest place depends on your surroundings.
Look around quickly and avoid anything that could fall.
If You Are in a Shop or Restaurant
If you are inside a shop, cafe, restaurant, or department store:
- Move away from shelves.
- Stay away from glass.
- Protect your head.
- Do not rush to the exit during shaking.
- Follow staff instructions.
- Watch for broken glass after shaking stops.
In convenience stores or drugstores, shelves may shake and items may fall.
In restaurants, hot drinks, dishes, and cooking equipment can be dangerous.
Stay calm and protect yourself first.
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Tsunami Risk
If you are near the coast and feel strong shaking, or shaking that lasts a long time, think about tsunami risk.
Do not wait near the beach to watch the sea.
Move to higher ground or a designated evacuation area.
JNTO’s safety guidance says tsunami warnings may be issued after an earthquake, and if there is strong or long-lasting shaking, you should evacuate to a higher place and stay safe until the warning is cancelled. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
This matters in coastal areas, islands, ports, seaside towns, and some bay areas.
If local staff, police, or speakers tell you to evacuate, follow instructions immediately.
Safety Tips App
Before your trip, consider installing Japan’s Safety Tips app.
JNTO says the app can send push alerts for earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings, and other weather warnings in Japan. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
This is useful for visitors because alerts may be easier to understand than Japanese-only announcements.
Before using the app, set the locations you will visit.
For example:
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Hokkaido
- Okinawa
- Hakone
- Fukuoka
Also keep emergency numbers and hotel addresses saved offline.
Emergency Numbers
For emergencies in Japan:
- Police: 110
- Fire or ambulance: 119
Call 119 if there is a serious injury, fire, or rescue emergency.
Call 110 for police help.
If you are not sure what to do and it is not an immediate police, fire, or ambulance emergency, ask hotel staff, station staff, or use visitor support resources.
Your location is very important.
Save your hotel address in advance.
What to Keep Ready
For earthquake preparation during travel, keep these items easy to find:
- Phone
- Power bank
- Passport
- Wallet
- Room key
- Shoes
- Small flashlight
- Water
- Medication
- Travel insurance details
- Hotel address
- Emergency contact
- Offline map
You do not need to carry a huge emergency kit as a tourist.
But keeping important items organized helps a lot.
At night, avoid leaving shoes far from the bed.
Broken glass or fallen objects can make walking barefoot dangerous.
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After the Shaking Stops
After shaking stops:
- Check yourself and people nearby.
- Watch for falling objects.
- Put on shoes.
- Check official information.
- Do not use elevators after strong shaking.
- Avoid damaged buildings.
- Do not touch broken wires.
- Follow staff instructions.
- Prepare for aftershocks.
Aftershocks may happen.
Do not assume everything is finished after the first shaking.
If you are in a hotel or station, wait for staff guidance.
If you are near the coast, move to higher ground if tsunami risk exists.
Transport Delays
After a strong earthquake, trains may stop.
This can affect:
- Local trains
- Subways
- Shinkansen
- Airport trains
- Buses
- Flights
- Taxis
Safety checks take time.
Do not rush to another station without checking information.
If trains stop, your best choice may be to stay in a safe place, return to your hotel if nearby, or follow station staff guidance.
Keep your battery and data plan available.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is rushing outside during shaking.
Another mistake is standing near windows, shelves, or platform edges.
Some travelers ignore tsunami risk near the coast.
Do not go to the beach after a strong earthquake.
Do not use elevators after a strong earthquake unless allowed.
Do not rely only on memory. Save hotel information, emergency numbers, and safety app details before your trip.
Best Recommendation for First-Time Visitors
Before visiting Japan, prepare a simple safety plan.
Install or bookmark safety information.
Save your hotel address.
Keep your phone charged.
Know 110 and 119.
If an earthquake happens, protect yourself first, then follow official instructions.
Japan is prepared for earthquakes, but travelers need to understand the basics.
Small preparation makes a big difference.
Conclusion
Earthquakes can happen in Japan, but most travelers will not face a serious problem.
The important thing is knowing what to do.
Stay calm, protect your head, stay away from glass and falling objects, follow staff instructions, and do not rush outside during shaking.
If you are near the coast after strong or long-lasting shaking, move to higher ground because of tsunami risk.
Prepare before your trip by saving emergency numbers, hotel information, travel insurance details, and safety alerts.
With basic knowledge, you can travel in Japan more confidently and respond calmly if an earthquake happens.
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