Travelling in Japan — what should you pack for a disaster?
Pack spare yen, your passport, your usual medication and a portable charger. Save your accommodation's address and phone number so you can view them offline, and check the route to the emergency exit when you arrive at your hotel.
Official sources checked: 2026-10-12
Do I need cash if I have cards?
Yes. If an earthquake causes a blackout or disrupts communications, card and mobile payments may not work.Even if you usually pay by card, pack some spare yen before you leave.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan: cash for power and communication outages ↗
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I also pack spare cash when travelling in Japan
Because card payments can be difficult during a blackout, I always carry spare cash when I travel in Japan. It's money I set aside separately from my usual travel spending.
Decide how much to bring based on your trip length, how many people you're travelling with, and your usual travel spending. It's handy to mix ¥1,000 notes with coins so you can pay small amounts too. Even with cash, shops may be closed, so it's also worth packing water, simple food and your usual medication.
What should I check before departure and after arriving at my hotel?
- Turn on disaster alerts.Set a supported language you can understand and your travel area in the Safety tips app.
- Check your hotel's emergency exits.Check which way to go from your room to reach the emergency exits and stairs.
- Save addresses and phone numbers.Keep your accommodation's Japanese address and phone number, and your family's contact details, somewhere you can view them without internet.
- Pack a portable charger.If an earthquake happens, contact your family from a safe place and cut back on non-essential use like watching long videos.
Official sources: JNTO: Safety tips app guide ↗ · JNTO: earthquake actions by situation (in Korean) ↗
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Why should I carry my passport while travelling in Japan?
Foreigners visiting Japan for a short trip must generally carry their original passport. Your passport is also needed to prove your identity.Keep the original on your person. Photos or copies cannot replace the original. The rules differ for people living in Japan with a residence card and for short-term visitors.
Official sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan: carrying passports and similar documents ↗ · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan: lost passports and emergency passports ↗
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Before your trip, save your passport details and your accommodation's address and phone number on your phone so you can explain the situation if you lose it. Save them so they're viewable offline, and if you've made paper copies, keep them somewhere separate from the original. Don't post photos of your passport on public boards or in group chats.
Don't enter a dangerous building to look for your passport.Evacuate first and tell staff that you don't have your passport. Don't delay evacuating or asking for help just because you don't have your passport.
What should I do if I lose my passport?
First, evacuate to a safe place. If you are a Korean national, report the lost passport to the police from a safe place and get a receipt. Then ask the Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea responsible for the area you're in how to apply for an emergency passport. If the disaster means you can't get to a police station or the embassy or consulate-general, explain your situation by phone and ask what to do. Check with the diplomatic mission how long issuance takes and which documents you need.
Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan: lost passports and emergency passports ↗
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What else should I know before travelling to smaller towns?
Save your accommodation's name, Japanese address and phone number so you can view them offline.If you plan to head into the mountains or to the coast, ask your accommodation staff about nearby evacuation sites and where to check local notices.
If you're travelling separately from your family, it's a good idea to decide in advance who to contact first if you lose touch. In case your phone doesn't work, we recommend writing your accommodation's contact details on paper too.
Find evacuation notices for the area you're travelling in →
Official sources: JNTO: Safety tips app guide ↗ · JNTO: earthquake actions by situation (in Korean) ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · 富士河口湖町 · Local disaster preparedness and evacuation facility guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How much emergency cash should I bring?
The amount depends on your trip length, how many people you're travelling with, and your usual travel spending. Set aside spare yen for emergencies. Mixing notes and coins is handy so you can pay small amounts right away.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan: cash for power and communication outages ↗
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What should I do if I lose my passport?
First evacuate to a safe place and tell staff you've lost your passport. If you are a Korean national, report the loss to the police from a safe place, and ask the Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea responsible for the area you're in how to apply for an emergency passport. Passport photos or copies cannot replace the original.
Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan: lost passports and emergency passports ↗ · Immigration Services Agency of Japan: carrying passports and similar documents ↗
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Official sources for this guide
This guide is based on the official sources below. Check the latest notices for the area you're travelling in for current earthquake information, open shelters and transport. When reading guidance for other areas, check whether it also applies to where you are.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan: cash for power and communication outages ↗ · JNTO: Safety tips app guide ↗ · JNTO: earthquake actions by situation (in Korean) ↗ · Immigration Services Agency of Japan: carrying passports and similar documents ↗ · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan: lost passports and emergency passports ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town: local disaster preparedness and evacuation facility guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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