Japan Earthquake Safety
Japan Earthquake Guide for Travelers What to do · Intensity scale · Emergency contacts
Japan experiences around 1,500 perceptible earthquakes per year. Most are minor, but knowing what to do in the first few seconds can make a significant difference. This guide covers immediate actions, the seismic intensity scale, and situation-specific advice.
First 10 seconds — what to do immediately
- 1
Drop and take cover immediately
The moment shaking starts, get under a sturdy table. If no table is nearby, protect your head with a bag or cushion and crouch low against an interior wall. Do not run.
- 2
Turn off gas and open flames
Once shaking stops, turn off the gas and extinguish any open flames. Fire is the leading cause of secondary earthquake deaths in Japan.
- 3
Open a door to secure an exit
Open the nearest door before the frame warps and traps you inside.
- 4
Use stairs — never the elevator
Elevators lock automatically during earthquakes. Take the stairs to evacuate.
- 5
Move to high ground if you are near the coast
Tsunamis can arrive within minutes of a large earthquake. If you feel strong shaking near the sea, move inland and uphill immediately — do not wait for an official warning.
- 6
Get information from official sources only
Check Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) or Japan Safe for seismic intensity and tsunami alerts. Ignore social media rumours.
Seismic intensity scale reference
Japan uses the JMA Seismic Intensity Scale (震度, shindo) — not the Richter scale. Your phone will receive an alert showing this level. Here is what each level means for you.
| Intensity | What you feel |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Barely felt |
| 3 | Noticeable indoors |
| 4 | Moderate shaking |
| 5 Lower | Strong shaking |
| 5 Upper / 6 Lower | Very strong |
| 6 Upper / 7 | Severe / extreme |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Where you are matters
🏨 Indoors (hotel · building)
• Get under the bed, desk, or any sturdy furniture. Cover your head.
• Stay away from windows — broken glass is the most common cause of injury.
• Do not use the elevator. Take the stairs once shaking stops.
• High floors sway more but are built to withstand it — do not run down stairs during shaking.
• After shaking: open the room door, grab your passport and phone, wait for hotel instructions.
🚄 On the subway or Shinkansen
• Trains stop automatically when sensors detect strong shaking — this is normal and safe.
• Hold the overhead strap or seat and stay seated until shaking stops.
• Do not open the emergency door or jump onto the tracks — wait for staff instructions.
• Shinkansen and local trains resume service after track inspections; this can take 30 minutes to several hours.
🌳 Outdoors · sightseeing
• Move away from buildings, walls, and power lines — falling debris is the main danger.
• In a shopping arcade or underground mall: stop, protect your head, and move to the nearest exit when shaking eases.
• In a crowd (temple, festival, crosswalk): do not panic or run. Move to the edge to avoid being crushed.
🌊 Near the coast or low-lying areas
If you feel strong shaking near the sea, evacuate uphill immediately. Do not wait for a siren.
• Tsunamis can reach shore within minutes of a coastal earthquake — there is no time to gather belongings.
• Target high ground (20 m / 65 ft above sea level or more) or the upper floors of a reinforced concrete building.
• Do not return to the coast until authorities officially lift the tsunami warning.
After the shaking — secondary hazards
🔥 Fire
Turn off gas immediately. If you smell gas, do not operate any switches — open windows and leave the building.
💧 Water
Tap water may be unsafe after a major quake. Avoid drinking until authorities confirm it is safe. Buy bottled water from convenience stores.
🏗️ Damaged buildings
Do not re-enter a building that looks structurally damaged. Aftershocks can cause already-weakened structures to collapse.
📡 Information
Get updates only from official sources: JMA, NHK World, or your country's embassy. Social media rumours spread fast after earthquakes.
Emergency contacts
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Fire / Ambulance | 119 |
| JNTO Tourist Helpline | 050-3816-2787 |
| Your embassy / consulate | Check before your trip |
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can foreign tourists use Japanese evacuation shelters? ▾
Yes. Designated evacuation shelters (hinanjo) are open to all people regardless of nationality. Many shelters have pictogram-based signs and some have English-speaking staff. Search for 「避難場所」 on Google Maps to find the nearest shelter from your current location.
Q. How long do aftershocks last? ▾
After a major earthquake (M6+), aftershocks can continue for hours to days. They are typically 1–2 magnitude points smaller than the main quake and decrease in frequency over time. Stay in a safe location until official authorities confirm it is clear.
Q. What should I do when the earthquake early warning alarm sounds? ▾
Japan's earthquake early warning (緊急地震速報) is a loud alert issued seconds before strong shaking arrives. Immediately: (1) get under a table or protect your head, (2) if in an elevator, press all floor buttons and exit at the nearest floor, (3) if driving, slow down gradually and pull to the side of the road.
Q. Is it more dangerous to be on a high floor of a hotel? ▾
Modern Japanese buildings are built to strict seismic standards — upper floors sway more but are designed to stay standing. The greater risk is panic. Stay low, protect your head, and wait for shaking to stop before moving. Running down stairs during shaking is more dangerous than staying put.
Q. Is tap water safe to drink after an earthquake? ▾
After a large quake, water pipes may be damaged. Avoid tap water until local authorities confirm it is safe — this typically takes a few hours to one day. Buy bottled water from convenience stores or vending machines in the meantime.
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