Disasters · Shelters and assistance

How to find shelters and get help in Japan

Find a nearby shelter on the official map, then check local notices to see if it is open now. When you arrive, tell staff, “I'm traveling and can't stay at my accommodation,” and ask for the help you need.

Official sources checked: 2026-10-12

Where do I find shelters?

Find a nearby shelter on the official map, then check local notices to see if it is open now. If you have no internet access, ask hotel or station staff. Not every shelter shown on the map is open.

What is the difference between an evacuation site and a shelter?

Designated emergency evacuation sites (指定緊急避難場所) are places to escape immediate danger. Check which disasters — earthquake, tsunami, major fire, or others — each site covers. Designated shelters (指定避難所) are places to stay when you cannot stay at home or at your accommodation. Do not just head to a nearby school; first check whether it is operating as a shelter.

Open the official map. Geospatial Information Authority of Japan guidance — on the linked page, tap the ‘指定緊急避難場所’ or ‘指定避難所’ map button.
Find your area. Look around your current location or accommodation, and check that the place matches the disaster you need to avoid.
Check whether the shelter is open. Check the official website of the local city or ward office for ‘避難所開設情報’ (shelter opening information).
Ask about the route too. Ask hotel or station staff where to go and whether any roads are closed. Follow on-site guidance while you move.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

If trains stop and you cannot get back to your hotel

Ask station staff, “Is there somewhere I can stay right now?” Places where you can rest temporarily in such situations are called temporary stay facilities (一時滞在施設). In Shinjuku City · 新宿区, official guidance lists resting space, water, food, blankets, and more as provision items. In other areas, check with local staff or the municipality to see what is open and what you can receive.

Official sources: Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to get home (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Where do I check the latest evacuation information by city?

Check the official website of the city you are traveling in for evacuation guidance and currently open shelters. Find your city in the table below to jump straight there. A map that only shows facility locations is different from current opening status, so check that a place is open before you go.

Official disaster information shortcuts for Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo
City you are traveling in	Current evacuation guidance and open shelters	Evacuation site and shelter maps	Korean guidance
Tokyo東京	Tokyo Metropolitan Government disaster map ↗ Under ‘区市町村ごとの防災情報’, check ‘避難所’ (shelters) and evacuation guidance for your ward or city.	Tokyo official map guidance ↗ Search by address or facility name, then under ‘防災施設’ select ‘避難所’ or ‘避難場所’.	Find Korean guidance for Tokyo ↗ Under ‘韓国語版’, you can view the Korean guidebook. Check the Tokyo metropolitan disaster map for currently open places.
Osaka大阪	Osaka disaster prevention network ↗ On the Osaka City page, see ‘避難情報’ (evacuation information) and ‘避難所情報’ (shelter information).	Osaka official map guidance ↗ From the city office guidance, follow the ‘マップナビおおさか’ link to find evacuation sites and shelters.	Find Korean guidance for Osaka ↗ Under ‘한국・조선어’ (Korean), you can reach the disaster prevention network and multilingual support guidance. If auto-translation does not work, show staff the original Japanese text.
Fukuoka福岡	Fukuoka City emergency information ↗ Check which areas have evacuation guidance and which shelters are currently open. If you are outside Fukuoka City, see the notices of that area's city office.	Fukuoka official map guidance ↗ Open ‘総合ハザードマップ’ at the bottom of the guidance page. Use the magnifier on ‘避難所・避難場所’ to find nearby facilities.	Find Korean guidance for Fukuoka ↗ The ‘韓国語’ link leads to a disaster prevention handbook for foreign residents. Check emergency information for currently open places.
Sapporo札幌	Sapporo disaster prevention portal ↗ Go to ‘表示情報 → 避難情報’ and see ‘開設中の全ての避難施設’. You can also check shelter information in the ward-by-ward table.	Sapporo official map guidance ↗ Select the ward you are in to find evacuation sites. Check the disaster prevention portal separately to see whether the listed facilities are currently open.	Find Korean guidance for Sapporo ↗ Select ‘한글(자동 번역)’ (Korean auto-translation). You can find tourist disaster guidance and JR/bus transport information.

Official sources: Tokyo Metropolitan Government · Shelter opening status and disaster map (in Japanese) ↗ · Tokyo Metropolitan Government · Korean disaster prevention guidebook (in Korean) ↗ · Osaka disaster prevention network · Osaka City evacuation and shelter information (in Japanese) ↗ · Osaka City · Evacuation sites, shelters, and official map guidance (in Japanese) ↗ · Osaka City · Korean and multilingual disaster guidance (in Korean) ↗ · Fukuoka City · Current evacuation guidance and open shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Fukuoka City · How to use the general hazard map (in Japanese) ↗ · Fukuoka City · Korean disaster prevention handbook for foreign residents (in Korean) ↗ · Sapporo City · Disaster prevention portal and shelter opening information (in Japanese) ↗ · Sapporo City · Evacuation sites by ward (in Japanese) ↗ · Sapporo City · Tourist disaster and transport guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

For the latest status, open the official sites from the links above. Check when each notice was issued and which areas it covers, and if on-site staff direct you to evacuate, follow their instructions first.

If you are traveling in another city or a small town

Geospatial Information Authority of Japan hazard map portalSelect ‘わがまちハザードマップ’ and find the area you are traveling in. It connects to the area's official disaster map. Check the city, ward, or town office website notices separately for currently open shelters.

Fujikawaguchiko Town · 富士河口湖町

If you are traveling in a mountainous area like Fujikawaguchiko, check the town's disaster guidance, and ask accommodation staff where to stay and how to get there. Even if the map shows a nearby route, it may be closed on site.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Find official local hazard maps (in Japanese) ↗ · Fujikawaguchiko Town · Local disaster and shelter guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

Can foreign visitors get help at shelters too?

Yes. Foreign visitors can also ask for help at shelters. When you arrive, explain your situation to the registration staff: “I'm traveling and can't get back to my hotel” or “I can't stay at my accommodation.” If there is no space or you need to go to another facility, ask where to go.

Official sources: Yokohama City · Shelter guidance for foreign residents (in Japanese) ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to get home (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

What should I say first when I arrive at a shelter?

Tell them how many people are with you. When registering, write down your name, accommodation, and contact details. Also ask where you should stay.
If you need water or food, ask where to get them. Also check where the restrooms are and whether you can get blankets. If you are hurt or need medication, say so right when you register.
Tell them if you have allergies or take regular medication. Also mention it if you are pregnant or traveling with small children. Tell them if walking is difficult or you need mobility help.
If you cannot understand the guidance, ask again. Ask for interpretation or translation help, and check the notice board for new announcements. Tell staff when you move somewhere else.

Language support and the medication you need may not be available at every shelter. Say what you need first, then check what help is available there.

Official sources: Shinjuku City · Shelter rules in Korean (in Korean) ↗ · Shinjuku City · Earthquakes and shelter guidance (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

If explanations are hard to follow or registration is not working, ask for interpretation help. Explain your situation again to the staff handling registration, or ask JNTO travel assistance (050-3816-2787) for help. If you feel you were treated unfairly because of your nationality, explain the situation to the local government consultation desk and your country's embassy or consulate.

If speaking Japanese is difficult, show these phrases

Pick the phrase you need below and show it to staff.

What you want to say	Show this to staff
I'm a traveler. I can't get back to my accommodation.	旅行者です。宿泊先に戻れません。
Where is the shelter that is open now?	今、開いている避難所はどこですか。
Can I stay here?	ここに滞在できますか。
I'd like to request an interpreter.	通訳をお願いしたいです。
I need water.	飲み水が必要です。
I'm hurt. I'd like medical treatment.	けがをしています。医療の支援が必要です。
I've lost my passport.	パスポートをなくしました。

119 and JNTO travel assistance numbers → · What to do if you lose your passport →

Good to know

FAQ

Can foreign travelers ask for help at shelters?

Yes. Foreign travelers can also ask for help at shelters. Tell the registration staff, “I'm traveling and can't stay at my accommodation.” If there is no space or you need to go elsewhere, ask where you can stay.

Are all the shelters shown on the map open right now?

No. Being on the map does not mean a shelter is open now. Check the local city or ward office notices announcing shelter openings, along with on-site guidance. Also distinguish emergency evacuation sites for immediate danger from shelters for staying afterward.

Official sources: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan · Map of evacuation sites and shelters (in Japanese) ↗ · Shinjuku City · Temporary facilities for people unable to get home (in Japanese) ↗
Sources checked: 2026-10-12

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.