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Disaster guides

Worried about disasters while traveling in Japan?

If an earthquake strikes or a typhoon is on the way, open the relevant guide. Check what to do first and what to avoid, and 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, open the guide you need right away.

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

Official sources: JNTO · What to do in an earthquake, by situation (in Korean) ↗
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02Tsunamis →Learn when to evacuate from the coast without waiting for a warning, 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 to shelter and check whether your accommodation and booked transport will still be available.

Official sources: Fukuoka City · What to do as a typhoon approaches ↗
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04Heavy rain, flooding, and landslides →Learn 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 and blizzards →Learn what to do when a blizzard cuts visibility or your car gets stuck in snow, and what to check before heading back to your accommodation or home.

Official sources: Sapporo Regional Headquarters of the Japan Meteorological Agency and others · What to do in a blizzard (PDF) ↗
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06Volcanoes and 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 ↗
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07Extreme heat and heat illness →Cool your body down if the heat makes you dizzy or nauseous. Learn when to call 119 and what to prepare on hot days.

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

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

The right place to avoid a tsunami can differ from the right place to avoid flooding. Check whether the facilities shown on the map are currently open. Read 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 ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to get home ↗
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Shelters and assistance →Find shelters that are open now and ask staff for the help you need.Before you travel →Pack extra yen, your passport, and your regular medication, and save the information you need on your phone.

Where can I see current warnings and evacuation information?

Check the official sources below for when each notice was issued and which areas it covers. Links for evacuation guidance in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, and for finding open shelters, are in the shelter guide.

Check current warnings and transport operations through 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 · Map of evacuation sites and shelters ↗
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The checked date is when the official sources were verified. When you look up current warnings, open shelters, and transport, also check when each notice was issued. If you are told to evacuate on site, follow that instruction first.