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Disaster guides

Worried about disasters on your Japan trip?

If an earthquake strikes or a typhoon has you worried, open the guide that fits. Check what to do first and what to avoid, then follow the warnings and on-site instructions for the area you are 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.

01Earthquake →Protect yourself while the shaking lasts; once it stops, check for nearby hazards and whether you need to leave the coast.

Official sources: JNTO · Earthquake actions by situation (in Korean) ↗
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02Tsunami →Learn when to evacuate from the coast without waiting for a warning, how to find somewhere to go, and what to do before heading back to your accommodation.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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03Typhoon →If a typhoon is forecast, know where you can shelter, and check whether your accommodation and booked transport are still usable.

Official sources: Fukuoka City · What to do as a typhoon approaches (in Japanese) ↗
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04Heavy rain, flooding & landslides →Know when and where to evacuate in heavy rain, 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 & blizzards →Learn what to do when a blizzard wipes out visibility or your car gets stuck in snow, and what to check before heading back to your accommodation or travelling home.

Official sources: Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory et al. · What to do in a blizzard (PDF, in Japanese) ↗
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06Volcanoes & eruptions →Find out what to check before visiting a volcano, what to do if it erupts suddenly or ash starts falling, and what to do when returning to your accommodation after evacuating.

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

Official sources: Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare · Heat illness symptoms and first aid (in Japanese) ↗
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08Wildlife & bear encounters →Learn how to act if you meet a bear, and what to check and pack before hiking.

Official sources: Japan Ministry of the Environment · How to avoid bears in national parks (in Japanese) ↗
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Looking for a shelter or preparing for your trip?

The places to escape a tsunami and a flood may not be the same. You also need to check whether the facilities marked on the map are open right now. Check local notices and ask staff where to evacuate and where you can stay.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary stay facilities for people stranded away from home (in Japanese) ↗
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Shelters & help →Find shelters that are open now and ask staff for the help you need.Prepare before you go →Bring extra yen and your passport, pack the medication you take regularly, and save essential information on your phone.

Where can I see current warnings and evacuation guidance?

Check the issue time and affected areas in the official sources below. Links for evacuation guidance and open shelters in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo are in the shelter guide.

Check current warnings and transport service status in the official links above. If on-site broadcasts or facility staff direct you to evacuate, follow their instructions first.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Earthquake information (in Korean) ↗ · JNTO · Disaster and transport information (in English) ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗
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The source verification date is when the official sources were checked. When you look up current warnings, open shelters and transport services, also check when each notice was issued. If you are told to evacuate on site, follow that instruction first.