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Disaster guide

Worried about disasters during your Japan trip?

If an earthquake strikes or a typhoon is on its way, open the relevant guide. Check what to do first and what to avoid, and follow the alerts and on-the-ground instructions for the area you're in.

Official sources checked: 2026-10-12

Which guide do you need?

From earthquakes to bear encounters, you can open the guide you need right away.

01Earthquakes →Protect yourself while it's shaking, then check for nearby hazards and whether you need to leave the coast once it stops.

Official sources: JNTO: earthquake actions by situation (in Korean) ↗
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02Tsunamis →Learn when to evacuate from the coast without waiting for an alert, how to find where to go, and what to do before heading back to your accommodation.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency: tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance ↗
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03Typhoons →If a typhoon is forecast, know where you can shelter, and check whether your accommodation is available and your booked transport is operating.

Official sources: Fukuoka City: what to do as a typhoon approaches ↗
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04Heavy rain, floods and landslides →Know when and where to evacuate when heavy rain hits, and what to check before returning to your accommodation once the rain eases.

Official sources: JNTO: who should evacuate at alert level 3 (in Korean) ↗
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05Heavy snow and blizzards →Know what to do when a blizzard reduces visibility or your car gets stuck in the snow, and what to check before heading back to your accommodation or home.

Official sources: Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory and others: what to do in a blizzard (PDF) ↗
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06Volcanoes and eruptions →Before visiting a volcano, find out what to research; check what to do if it erupts suddenly or ash starts falling. Also know what to do when returning to your accommodation after evacuating.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency: what to do when you receive an eruption notice ↗
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07Extreme heat and heat illness →If the heat makes you dizzy or nauseous, cool your body down. Also know when to call 119 and what to prepare for hot days.

Official sources: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: heat-related illness symptoms and first aid ↗
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08Wildlife and bear encounters →Find out how to move if you meet a bear, and where to check and what to pack before hiking.

Official sources: Ministry of the Environment: avoiding bears in national parks ↗
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Looking for a shelter or preparing for your trip?

Safe places for tsunamis and floods can differ. You also need to check whether the facility shown on the map is actually open right now. Read local notices and ask staff where to evacuate and where you can stay.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan: evacuation site and shelter map ↗ · Shinjuku City: temporary shelters for people unable to get home ↗
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Shelters and help →Find a shelter that's open now, and ask staff for the help you need.Before you travel →Pack extra yen, your passport and your usual medication, and save the information you'll need on your phone.

Where can I see the latest alerts and evacuation notices?

Check the official sources below for when alerts were issued and which areas they cover. Links for evacuation notices in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo, and for finding shelters that are currently open, are in the shelter guide.

Check current warnings and transport services at the official links above. If on-site announcements or facility staff tell you to evacuate, follow their instructions first.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency: earthquake information in Korean ↗ · JNTO: official disaster and transport information ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan: evacuation site and shelter map ↗
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The 'source checked' date is when we verified the official sources. When checking current warnings, open shelters and transport, also check when each notice was issued. If you're told to evacuate on site, follow those instructions first.