What should you pack to prepare for disasters on a Japan trip?
Pack extra yen, your passport, your regular medication, and a backup battery. Save your accommodation address and contact details so you can view them offline, and when you arrive at your hotel, check the route to the emergency exit.
Official sources checked: 2026-10-12
Do I need cash if I have a card?
Yes. If an earthquake causes a power outage or communications failure, card and mobile payments may not work. Even if you usually pay by card, pack extra yen before you leave.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan · Cash for power and communications outages (in Japanese) ↗
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I also carry extra cash on Japan trips
If the power goes out, card payments can be difficult, so I always carry extra cash when I travel in Japan. It is money set aside separately from my usual travel budget.
Decide how much based on your trip length, how many people are traveling, and your usual travel spending. Mix 1,000-yen notes and coins so you can pay small amounts easily. Even with cash, shops may be closed, so also pack water, simple food, and your regular 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. Step out of your room and see which way leads to the emergency exits and stairs.
- Save addresses and contact details. Save your accommodation's Japanese address and phone number, plus family contact details, so you can view them offline.
- Pack a backup battery. If an earthquake strikes, contact your family from a safe place, and cut unnecessary use like watching long videos.
Official sources: JNTO · Safety Tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · What to do in an earthquake, by situation (in Korean) ↗
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Why should I carry my passport during a Japan trip?
Foreign visitors on short trips to Japan are generally required to carry their original passport. You also need it to prove your identity. Keep the original on your person. A photo or copy cannot replace the original. The rules differ for short-term visitors and residents of Japan who hold a residence card.
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 and your accommodation's address and phone number on your phone so you can explain things if you lose them. Save them for offline viewing, and if you prepare a paper copy, keep it somewhere separate from the original. Do not post passport photos on public boards or group chats.
Do not enter a dangerous building to look for your passport. Evacuate first and tell staff you do not have your passport. Do not delay evacuating or asking for help just because you lack 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 loss to the police from a safe place and get a receipt. Then ask the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Korea responsible for your area how to apply for an emergency passport. If the disaster prevents you from reaching a police station, embassy, or consulate, explain your situation by phone and ask what to do. Confirm processing time and required documents with the diplomatic mission.
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 traveling to small towns?
Save your accommodation's name, Japanese address, and contact details for offline viewing. If you plan to head into the mountains or to the coast, also ask accommodation staff about nearby evacuation sites and where to check local notices.
If you split up from family, decide in advance who to contact first if you lose touch. We recommend writing down your accommodation's contact details on paper too, in case your phone does not work.
Find evacuation guidance for the area you are traveling in →
Official sources: JNTO · Safety Tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · What to do in an earthquake, by situation (in Korean) ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · 富士河口湖町 · Local disaster and shelter guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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Related guides
FAQ
How much emergency cash should I carry?
It depends on your trip length, how many people are traveling, and your usual travel spending. Set aside extra yen separately for emergencies. Mix notes and coins so you can pay small amounts right away.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan · Cash for power and communications outages (in Japanese) ↗
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What do I do if I lose my passport?
First evacuate to a safe place and tell staff you lost your passport. If you are a Korean national, report the loss to the police from a safe place, then ask the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Korea responsible for your area how to apply for an emergency passport. A passport photo or copy 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 is based on the official sources below. For current earthquake information, open shelters, and transport, check the latest notices for the area you are traveling in. When reading guidance for another area, check whether it also applies to where you are.
Official sources: Cabinet Office of Japan · Cash for power and communications outages (in Japanese) ↗ · JNTO · Safety Tips app guide (in English) ↗ · JNTO · What to do in an earthquake, 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 and shelter guidance (in Japanese) ↗
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