Kochi Prefecture (高知県) — Earthquake Risk & History
Shikoku region · Based on HERP official data
Kochi directly faces the Nankai Trough on Shikoku's south coast. Government simulations project tsunami wave heights up to 34 m at some locations, with arrival within minutes. Some coastal points would be inundated before official warnings can even be issued.
Fault Lines & Seismic Characteristics
Active Faults & Trenches
- Nankai Trough
Seismic Characteristics
Kochi Prefecture faces the Nankai Trough directly on Shikoku's south coast. Government simulations project tsunami heights up to 34 m at some points, with arrival within 3 minutes at the most exposed locations. The survival rule: evacuate immediately upon strong shaking — do not wait for warnings.
Earthquake History
- M8.0
1946
Nankai earthquake — tsunami across Kochi Prefecture; 670 dead within the prefecture
- M8.4
1854
Ansei Nankai earthquake — flooding of Kochi Castle's lower grounds; widespread tsunami damage
※ Showing M7+ or historically major tsunami events. Source: JMA database.
Future Probability — HERP Official Assessment
30-Year Probability (Official Figure)
Earthquake Research Committee 2023 assessment. Some Kochi coast points see tsunami in under 3 minutes — evacuation must begin at first shaking, before any official warning can reach you.
Traveler Safety Information
Finding Evacuation Shelters
- ✅ Search "避難所" (hinanjo) on Google Maps to find the nearest shelter from your current location
- ✅ Install NHK World or Safety tips (Japan Tourism Agency app) — both send English earthquake alerts
- ✅ Kochi Prefecture official disaster prevention page (Japanese) — includes shelter maps
Basic Action Rules
- ✅ At check-in, locate emergency exits and escape routes
- ✅ On strong shaking: protect your head, open a door to secure an exit, do not use elevators
- ✅ Near coasts or rivers: move to high ground immediately — do not wait for a tsunami warning
- ✅ Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance/Fire 119
- ✅ Contact your embassy in Tokyo for emergency consular assistance
Research & Official Sources AI summary
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Kochi Prefecture Nankai Trough worst-case scenario
Government simulations project tsunami heights up to 34 m at some Kochi coastal points, with arrival within minutes. High-elevation evacuation facilities and immediate self-initiated evacuation are the key survival factors.
Source: 내각부 중앙방재회의 (2022) -
Immediate evacuation guide for Katsurahama and Cape Ashizuri visitors
Katsurahama Beach and Cape Ashizuri are Kochi's iconic coastal sites — among the closest land points to the Nankai Trough. Tsunami could arrive within minutes of rupture. Move to high ground immediately upon strong shaking without waiting for any warning. Tsunami evacuation hills (津波避難丘) are located near Katsurahama.
Source: 고치현 방재과·고치시 (2023)
Related Guides
Seismic characteristics and research summaries on this page are AI-generated from publicly available data by JMA, Cabinet Office, and HERP. Historical earthquake data (year, magnitude, damage) is based on official records, but key figures should always be cross-checked with the latest official sources. This page does not predict future earthquakes.