What should you pack for a Japan trip in case of a disaster?
Pack spare yen, your passport, your usual medication and a power bank. Save your hotel's address and contact details so you can read them without internet, and when you arrive at your hotel, check the route to the emergency exits.
Official sources checked: 2026-10-12
Do I need cash if I already have a card?
Yes. If a power outage or network failure follows an earthquake, you may not be able to pay by card or mobile. Even if you usually pay by card, set aside spare yen before you leave.
Official sources: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan · Cash for power and communication outages (in Japanese) ↗
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I also carry spare cash on Japan trips
Card payments can be hard to use during a blackout, so I always carry spare cash when I travel in Japan. It's separate from my usual travel budget.
How much to bring depends on your trip length, how many people you're travelling with, and your usual spending. Mix 1,000-yen notes and coins so small amounts are easy to pay. Even with cash, shops may be closed, so it's wise to also carry water, simple food and your usual medication.
What should I check before leaving and after arriving at the 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. Step out of your room and look at which way leads to the emergency exits and stairs.
- Save your addresses and contacts. Keep your hotel's Japanese address and phone number, plus your family's contact details, where you can read them without internet.
- Pack a power bank. If an earthquake strikes, contact your family from a safe place and cut down on unnecessary use like watching long videos.
Official sources: JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Earthquake actions by situation (in Korean) ↗
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Why do I have to carry my passport while travelling in Japan?
As a rule, short-term foreign visitors to Japan must carry their original passport. You also need it to prove your identity. Keep the original with you at all times. Photos or copies cannot replace the original. The rules differ for residents holding a residence card and for short-term visitors.
Official sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying passports and similar documents (in Japanese) ↗ · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗
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Before your trip, save your passport details plus your hotel's address and phone number on your phone — it makes explaining things easier if you lose it. Save them so you can read them without internet, and if you carry a paper copy, keep it somewhere separate from the original. Don't post photos of your passport on public boards or in group chats.
Don't go into a dangerous building to look for your passport. Evacuate first and tell staff you don't have your passport. Don't delay evacuating or asking for help just because your passport is missing.
What should I do if I lose my passport?
First, move somewhere safe. If you are a South Korean national, report the loss to the police from a safe place and get a receipt. Then ask the Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea covering your area how to apply for an emergency passport. If the disaster makes it impossible to reach a police station or the embassy or consulate, call to explain your situation and ask what to do. Check with the consular office about processing times and required documents.
Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗
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What else should I know before travelling to smaller towns?
Save your hotel's name, Japanese address and contact details so you can read them without internet. If you're heading into the mountains or out to the coast, also ask your hotel staff about nearby evacuation points and where to check local notices.
If you're travelling separately from your family, agree in advance on who to contact first if you lose touch. It's wise to write your hotel's contact details on paper too, in case your phone doesn't work.
Find evacuation guidance for your travel area →
Official sources: JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · 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?
How much you need depends on your trip length, how many people you're travelling with, and your usual spending. Set aside spare yen separately for emergencies. Mix notes and coins so small amounts are easy to pay.
Official sources: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan · Cash for power and communication outages (in Japanese) ↗
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What should I do if I lose my passport?
First move somewhere safe and tell staff you lost your passport. If you are a South Korean national, report the loss to the police from a safe place, then ask the Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea covering your area how to apply for an emergency passport. Photos or copies of your passport cannot replace the original.
Official sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗ · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying passports and similar documents (in Japanese) ↗
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Official sources for this guide
This guide was written from the official sources below. For current earthquake information, open shelters and transport, check the latest notices for the area you are travelling in. When reading guidance for another area, make sure it also applies to where you are.
Official sources: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan · Cash for power and communication outages (in Japanese) ↗ · JNTO · Safety tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · Earthquake actions by situation (in Korean) ↗ · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · Carrying passports and similar documents (in Japanese) ↗ · Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan · Lost passports and emergency passports (in Korean) ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · Local disaster preparedness and evacuation facility guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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