Disasters · Tsunami

What should you do if a tsunami hits while you're travelling in Japan?

If you feel a strong earthquake — or a weak tremor that lasts a long time — on the coast, evacuate immediately to high ground or a tsunami evacuation building without waiting for a tsunami warning. Don't go back just because one wave has passed. Stay evacuated until the tsunami warnings and advisories are lifted.

Official sources checked: 2026-10-12

Evacuate right away if any of these happen at the beach

If you felt a strong earthquake or a weak tremor that lasted a long time, evacuate immediately to high ground or a tsunami evacuation building without waiting for a warning.
If a major tsunami warning or tsunami warning has been issued for your area and you are near the coast or a river, evacuate immediately. Evacuate even if you didn't feel any shaking.
If a tsunami advisory is issued, get out of the water and move away from the coast right away. Follow the evacuation instructions given on site.
Stay evacuated until the warnings and advisories are lifted. Don't go back for your belongings or to watch the sea.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunamis caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity (in Japanese) ↗ · Kanagawa Prefecture · How to evacuate when a tsunami comes (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warning/advisory screen (in Korean) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

How to read Japanese signs and notices

If you see the Japanese below on a sign or a phone alert, check what it means. Don't just read the number — read what danger it describes and which area or section it applies to.

Example: reading numbers and expressions

海抜 5m / Sea Level 5m

Meaningmeans the spot you are standing on is 5 m above sea level.

What to doEven after checking the elevation, don't assume the spot is safe. Look for the tsunami evacuation site and the direction to it.

This does not mean you are 5 m from the coast, and it does not mean the expected tsunami height is 5 m. It is an example of how to read the numbers and does not describe any specific beach's elevation.

Official sources: Okinawa Prefecture · Elevation and tsunami evacuation sign guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Checked: 2026-10-12

Example: reading numbers and expressions

避難場所まで ○m →

Meaningis an expression telling you how far it is to the evacuation site in the direction of the arrow.

What to doFind the evacuation site's name and the arrow direction first. The number is the remaining distance to it. If roads are being controlled on site, follow that guidance.

The ○ stands for the distance number printed on the actual sign. This example does not reproduce any specific place's distance or an actual sign photo. Note the difference: 海抜 means elevation, まで means "up to there".

Official sources: Sakai City · Evacuation direction and distance sign guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Checked: 2026-10-12

津波避難場所

Meaningis an evacuation site for escaping a tsunami.

What to doGo to the evacuation site the sign points to and follow the on-site instructions.

This does not mean you can stay overnight or receive supplies here. Don't confuse it with a shelter where you stay.

Official sources: Okinawa Prefecture · Elevation and tsunami evacuation sign guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Checked: 2026-10-12

津波避難ビル

Meaningis a building designated for escaping a tsunami.

What to doFollow the signs showing the building's evacuation floor and how to get up there.

Just because a building looks tall doesn't mean it qualifies. Follow the actual signs and staff instructions.

Official sources: Okinawa Prefecture · Elevation and tsunami evacuation sign guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Checked: 2026-10-12

Red-and-white four-panel flag

Meaningis the signal that a tsunami warning or advisory has been issued.

What to doGet out of the water and evacuate immediately. Don't wait until you can understand the broadcast or finish translating it on your phone.

Not seeing the flag does not mean you are safe. If you feel a strong earthquake or a weak tremor that lasts a long time on the coast, evacuate without waiting for a warning.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami flag guidance (in English) ↗
Checked: 2026-10-12

Japan's red-and-white four-panel tsunami evacuation signal flag — If you see this flag at the beach, get out of the water and evacuate immediately. It signals that a tsunami warning or advisory has been issued. This is an illustration from the Japan Meteorological Agency, not a photo of any specific beach.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, "Tsunami flags" · PDL1.0 · used unmodified · Terms of use
Source and terms-of-use check date: 2026-10-12

What should you know before heading to the beach?

Before you go, learn the tsunami evacuation sites near your accommodation and the beach you plan to visit, and how to get to them. Also look at the official map that marks areas that could flood (the tsunami hazard map).

Save your accommodation's address and contact details, plus the route to your evacuation site, on your phone. Agree in advance with your travel companions on how to contact each other if you get separated. If the guidance on site differs from the map you saved, follow the evacuation route you are being given now.

On the tsunami hazard map, find your accommodation, the beach and the harbour, and check whether they are in an area that could flood. Even away from the sea, a tsunami can travel up rivers.
Find the places designated as evacuation sites for a tsunami. It's also good to know other evacuation sites on even higher ground. When you arrive at your accommodation, ask the staff which direction to go and which roads to take to evacuate.
Before you leave, get the Safety tips app and set it up to receive disaster alerts in a language you can understand. Once you are there, don't rely on app notifications alone — also follow broadcasts and staff evacuation instructions.

Don't feel safe just because you are outside the area the map expects to flood. A real tsunami can be bigger than expected.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · How to prepare for and evacuate from a tsunami (in Japanese) ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Points to note when using evacuation maps (in Japanese) ↗ · Kanagawa Prefecture · How to evacuate when a tsunami comes (in Japanese) ↗ · JNTO · Safety tips app and disaster alerts (in English) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

There's no warning yet — should I evacuate anyway?

If you feel a strong earthquake — or a weak tremor that lasts a long time — on the coast, evacuate first without waiting for a warning. A tsunami from nearby can arrive before any warning is issued.

Protect yourself while the shaking lasts. If you felt a strong earthquake or a weak but long-lasting tremor on the coast, don't delay evacuating to search for alerts or to check whether you can see waves.

Don't wait for the sea to pull back first. A large wave can surge in without the water receding.

Can I just head to the nearest shelter?

To escape a tsunami, go to a place designated as a tsunami evacuation site. These are called designated emergency evacuation sites — places to flee immediate danger. Ordinary shelters are facilities where you stay after a disaster. Just because a place is labelled a shelter doesn't mean it will protect you from a tsunami.

Which building should I go up?

Find a building designated as a tsunami evacuation building and evacuate in the direction the on-site signs point. Don't just walk into any building that looks tall.

Elevation is how high the ground is above sea level. Don't decide you are safe — or end your evacuation — based on that number or the sign colours alone. Follow the route to the evacuation site your area has designated, and stay evacuated until the warnings and advisories are lifted.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Frequently asked questions about tsunamis (in Japanese) ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · How to prepare for and evacuate from a tsunami (in Japanese) ↗ · JNTO · What to do first when an earthquake strikes (in Korean) ↗ · Okinawa Prefecture · Elevation and tsunami evacuation sign examples (in Japanese) ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Explaining elevation and ground height (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

What should I do when a tsunami warning or advisory is issued?

If a major tsunami warning or tsunami warning is issued, move immediately from the coast and river areas to high ground or an evacuation building. Even if only an advisory is issued, get out of the water and move away from the coast.

If you see the red-and-white checkered tsunami flag at the beach, start evacuating right away. It is the visual signal that a tsunami warning or advisory has been issued. Don't feel safe just because you can't see the flag or haven't received an alert.

After evacuating, check the Japan Meteorological Agency screen to see which warnings or advisories cover your area. Read the affected areas and issue times together, and follow local broadcasts or staff if they direct you to evacuate.

Major tsunami warning · 大津波警報

Evacuate immediately from coastal and river areas to high ground or a tsunami evacuation building. The tsunami could be bigger than expected. Don't assume where you are is high enough — move higher.

Tsunami warning · 津波警報

Evacuate immediately from coastal and river areas. Don't decide you are fine based on the forecast height number alone. Don't go to the coast to watch the waves.

Tsunami advisory · 津波注意報

Get out of the water and move away from the coast immediately. Stop swimming and coastal fishing. If you are told to evacuate on site, follow that instruction.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami flags and evacuation signals (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · How to prepare for and evacuate from a tsunami (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warning/advisory screen (in Korean) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

The waves have passed — can I go back to my accommodation?

Not yet. Tsunamis come in multiple waves, and later waves can be higher. Stay evacuated until the warnings and advisories are lifted.

Don't end your evacuation just because the sea looks calm or the expected arrival time of the first wave has passed. Don't go back to watch the sea or collect your belongings.

A warning being downgraded to an advisory is not a cancellation. If an advisory is still in effect, stay evacuated. Even after everything is lifted, don't set off for your accommodation right away. Check whether roads to it are closed, and ask the staff whether you can return and stay now.

A warning being lifted in another coastal area doesn't mean yours is lifted too. Check the Japan Meteorological Agency screen and on-site guidance to confirm the warnings and advisories for your area are lifted.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Frequently asked questions about tsunamis (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance (in Japanese) ↗ · Kanagawa Prefecture · How to evacuate when a tsunami comes (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warning/advisory screen (in Korean) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

After evacuating, what should I check first to get back to my hotel or fly home?

If any warnings or advisories are still in effect, stay evacuated. From where you evacuated, contact your accommodation first. Once you are told it is safe to move, check your train or bus and your booked flight separately.

Check whether you can stay at your accommodation and whether transport is running, then decide your next plans. If the evacuation continues or you can't use your accommodation or transport, don't restart coastal sightseeing — find somewhere to stay first. If you need to change or cancel bookings, ask the airline, hotel or booking site whether changes or cancellations are possible and what they cost. A disaster does not mean every booking can be cancelled for free.

Ask the hotel staff whether you can check into your room today, whether the road to the hotel is blocked, and whether they have separate evacuation instructions for guests. Don't interrupt your evacuation to fetch your luggage or make a reservation time.
If you can't stay at your accommodation, ask the staff where you evacuated whether there is somewhere you can stay tonight. Even if a place is marked on the map, check separately whether it is open now. Look for somewhere you can go now in the area's shelter-opening notices or staff guidance.
Once movement is allowed, check separately on each operator's website or app whether your train, bus or ferry is running, and on your airline's website or app whether your booked flight is departing. Even if your flight is departing, the transport to the airport may be stopped.

Official sources: Kanagawa Prefecture · How to evacuate when a tsunami comes (in Japanese) ↗ · Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Points to note when using evacuation maps (in Japanese) ↗ · JNTO · Railway, airport and airline website directory (in English) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Who should I call if I'm hurt or need help?

If you need emergency help from an ambulance or the fire department, call 119. If you are struggling to understand disaster guidance or can't get back to your accommodation and need help, contact the JNTO visitor hotline.

When you call 119, say where you are and what help you need. If it's hard to explain by phone, ask nearby staff to help you make the report.

The JNTO visitor hotline (Japan Visitor Hotline) is 050-3816-2787 within Japan and +81-50-3816-2787 from abroad. It takes calls about accidents, illness and disasters while travelling, 24 hours a day in Korean, English and Chinese. If you need emergency help from an ambulance or the fire department, call 119 first instead of the JNTO hotline.

Tell the staff at your accommodation or where you evacuated: "I'm travelling and can't get back to my accommodation. Where can I stay?" If you need supplies, medication or interpretation, ask for those too. What help you can get depends on the situation on site.

Official sources: JNTO · 119 and the visitor hotline (in English) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

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Frequently asked questions

I didn't feel any shaking — do I still need to evacuate if a tsunami warning is issued?

Yes. If a major tsunami warning or tsunami warning has been issued for your area and you are near the coast or a river, evacuate immediately to high ground or an evacuation building. A distant earthquake or volcanic activity can send a tsunami to Japan even if you felt no shaking there.

Official sources: Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunamis caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · Tsunami warnings, advisories and evacuation guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Can I stay at the beach if the forecast tsunami height is low?

No. Even waves of about 20–30 cm can sweep you away in fast currents. If a tsunami advisory is issued, get out of the water and move away from the coast right away. If you felt a strong earthquake or a weak but long-lasting tremor on the coast, evacuate to high ground without waiting for the forecast height to be announced or a warning to be issued.

Can I just go to the nearest shelter on the map?

To escape a tsunami, go to a place designated as a tsunami evacuation site. Don't head to an ordinary shelter just because it's close. Before your trip, learn the tsunami evacuation sites and how to get to them. If you face tsunami danger, evacuate immediately to high ground or a designated tsunami evacuation building.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Japan Meteorological Agency · How to prepare for and evacuate from a tsunami (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

The warning was downgraded to an advisory — can I go back for my belongings?

Don't go back yet. A downgrade to an advisory is not a cancellation. Tsunamis come in multiple waves and later waves can be higher, so stay evacuated until the warnings and advisories are lifted. Even after they are lifted, don't enter areas with restricted access and follow your accommodation staff's guidance.

Official sources for this guide

Check the area's notices for current warnings and access restrictions. For whether trains and flights are running, see the transport operators' latest notices.